ASEAN-CER Integration Partnership Forum

Executive Director Jukhee Hong was invited to speak at the ASEAN-CER Integration Partnership Forum, with the topic of “The Policy Perspective on Digital Economic Integration”. This session focused on negotiating and implementing cross-border digital integration: its challenges, opportunities. and lessons learned

In her remarks, she urged for ASEAN to simplify and harmonise regulations, reduce fragmentation across borders and sectors, and build a truly unified 700-million-strong market. She called for a shift from consultation to action, and outlined the “4P” approach: Partnership (engaging the private sector as co-creators), Process (establishing transparent, structured channels for input and follow-up), Pragmatism (focusing on concrete, actionable steps), and Pace (accelerating reforms to leverage ASEAN’s demographic advantage).

Together with Jukhee for this session were also Stephanie Honey of the NZ Asia Institute, University of Auckland; and Alison Hamilton, the Senior Advisor, New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.