Regional Outlook Forum 2024

ROF2024 will consider the global political and economic challenges that arise from the heightened rivalry between the major powers. Geopolitical currents — chiefly, U.S.-China tensions and Russia’s war in Ukraine — continue to ripple across the region. Strategic distrust between the U.S. and China, and their efforts to exert influence and military presence, bear important consequences for Southeast Asia and the South China Sea. New frontiers of contestation, most consequentially U.S.-allied Indo-Pacific partnerships, raise questions about bipolar conflict and ASEAN’s role and posture.

On the regional front, ROF2024 will weigh Southeast Asia’s response to pivotal economic, technological and natural resource challenges. The bifurcation of global supply chains driven by geopolitical rivalry impinges on the region’s trade and investment, cross-border integration and access to technology for generating growth and upgrading economies.

ROF2024 will also survey the domestic situation in Southeast Asian countries. We reflect on the popular trends that are shaping politics in the Philippines and Thailand, the resilience of dynasties, and the outlook for reform. Ahead of Indonesia’s February presidential vote and legislative elections in 2024, we scrutinise the contest among political elites to win the people’s trust, and the possible directions in which the next president will lead the region’s largest country. Finally, in light of the stabilisation of Malaysia’s political landscape in 2023, with both the Unity government and Perikatan Nasional opposition consolidating their coalitions, we deliberate Malaysia’s social cohesion and political outlook.

For more information and to register, visit www.iseas.edu.sg/rof2024.