ASEAN is navigating an increasingly complex global environment, shaped by rising fragmentation, geopolitical volatility, and persistent external headwinds. While the region has demonstrated resilience, supported by strong macroeconomic fundamentals, the outlook ahead remains challenging.

The conflict in the Middle East is testing the resilience of developing Asia and the Pacific. Uncertainty remains exceptionally high, with impacts already evident through higher energy and commodity prices, disrupted shipping routes, and tighter financial conditions. This event will present insights from ADB’s latest Asian Development Outlook (April 2026) and examine the transmission channels of the conflict and their implications for the region’s growth prospects. It will also discuss policy responses to address these ongoing challenges.

Singapore’s Budget 2026, as highlighted by Dr Chua Yeow Hwee, Dr Chua Hak Bin, and Dr Runchana Pongsaparn, marks a shift from short-term relief to long-term resilience and competitiveness. The panel noted sustained targeted cost-of-living support alongside strong investments in AI adoption, R&D, innovation, infrastructure and globalisation to boost productivity and growth. Emphasis was placed on upskilling workers and firms, strengthening retirement adequacy through CPF enhancements, supporting overseas expansion, and maintaining fiscal prudence. With tighter labour policies and more targeted household assistance, the Budget underscores adaptability, inclusive growth, climate resilience and deeper ASEAN integration as key to securing Singapore’s long-term economic strength and opportunities.

The 48th FAEA Conference convenes at a pivotal moment as Malaysia assumes the ASEAN chairmanship in 2025, steering regional cooperation amidst rising geopolitical risks, economic fragmentation, technological decoupling, and demographic shifts. The current U.S. administration’s implementation of significant tariffs on major trading partners and withdrawal from international climate commitments presents ASEAN economies with complex challenges and strategic opportunities in navigating an increasingly uncertain global landscape.

The 17th Singapore Economic Policy Forum (SEPF), jointly organised by the Economic Society of Singapore (ESS) and the National University of Singapore (NUS), was held on 24 October 2025, in conjunction with the Outstanding Economics Teacher Award (OEETA) presentation. The theme of this year’s forum was “Economic Policy in a Fragmented Global Environment.” We were honoured to have Dr Tan See Leng, Minister for Manpower and Minister in Charge of Energy, Science & Technology, Ministry of Trade and Industry, as our Guest of Honour and Keynote Speaker. The panel featured distinguished speakers representing various sectors, including the private sector, government, academia, and finance.

The Economics Society of Singapore (ESS) is honoured to host Professor Jeffrey Sachs, a world-renowned economist, global leader in sustainable development, and advocate for economic cooperation, as the distinguished guest speaker for the 6th ESS Distinguished Public Lecture, titled “ASEAN and the World Economy to 2050”. Professor Sachs shared how the global economy and ASEAN countries have developed over the years, and how it may be different in the coming years amid global uncertainty and tensions. He also raised three challenges relating to sustainable development, namely the climate crisis, ecological crisis and megapollution crisis. Professor Sachs encourages more cooperation and respect between countries to achieve a win-win situation for all.