Speakers
Keynote Speaker:

Mr. Chan Chun Sing
Coordinating Minister for Public Services and Minister for Defence
Republic of Singapore
Panelist
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Mr. Chan Chun SingCoordinating Minister for Public Services
Mr Chan Chun Sing was appointed Singapore’s Coordinating Minister for Public Services and Minister for Defence on 23 May 2025. He has concurrently served as Minister-in-charge of the Public Service since 1 May 2018. Mr Chan previously served as Minister for Education from May 2021 to May 2025, where he advanced lifelong learning and broadened access to education for learners of diverse abilities, needs and interests. He strengthened professional development for educators and deepened partnerships between schools and industry to better align education with future workforce needs. From May 2018 to May 2021, Mr Chan led Singapore’s economic and industrial development as Minister for Trade and Industry. In this role, he ratified the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership agreement and deepened international cooperation on the digital economy. He also served as Deputy Chairman of the People’s Association from October 2015 to May 2021, steering national efforts to foster social cohesion and community engagement. From May 2015 to May 2018, he was Secretary-General of the National Trades Union Congress and expanded the Labour Movement network to represent all working people in Singapore. Before this, he served as Minister for Social and Family Development (2013-2015) and Acting Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports (2011-12). He was also Second Minister for Defence (2013-15) and Minister of State for Information, Communications and the Arts (2011-12). Serving with the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) from 1987 to 2011, Mr Chan held various appointments including Chief of Army. He left the SAF to run in the 2011 General Election and was elected Member of Parliament for Tanjong Pagar Group Representation Constituency. An SAF (Overseas) and President’s Scholarship holder, he graduated with First Class Honours in Economics from Christ’s College, Cambridge University, UK. He was also awarded the 1998 Distinguished Master Strategist Award by the US Army Command and General Staff College. In 2005, he completed the Sloan Fellows Programme at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology under the Lee Kuan Yew Scholarship. Born in 1969, Mr Chan is married with three children and enjoys reading and jogging.
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Keynote Speaker:

Mr. Jeffrey Siow
Minister for Transport and Second Minister for Finance
Republic of Singapore
Panelist
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Mr. Jeffrey SiowMinister for Transport and Second Minister for Finance Mr Jeffrey Siow is Minister for Transport and Second Minister for Finance. He entered office in May 2025, when he was elected as a Member of Parliament for the Chua Chu Kang Group Representation Constituency. Mr Siow oversees Singapore’s air, land and sea transport, and helps shape the country’s fiscal and economic strategy. Before taking office, Mr Siow was Second Permanent Secretary at both the Ministry of Manpower and the Ministry of Trade and Industry, where he led national efforts to grow Singapore’s economy, and to develop a productive workforce and progressive workplaces to benefit Singaporeans. Mr Siow was the first Managing Director and Chief Operating Officer of Enterprise Singapore, where he was responsible for growing and transforming local businesses and industries. From 2017 to 2021, he was the Principal Private Secretary to then-Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. Mr Siow graduated from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology with an MBA. He also holds a BA in Economics & Government and a BSc in Urban & Regional Studies from Cornell University. |
Panel 1: Competitiveness in an Age of Fragmentation
Panellist:

Dr. Claus Rettig
President, Asia Pacific
Evonik (SEA) Ptd Ltd
Panelist
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Dr. Claus RettigPresident (Asia Pacific)
Dr. Claus Rettig is the President of Evonik Asia Pacific since July 1st, 2022. As a associated member of the executive board of Evonik Industries AG with general power of attorney, Dr. Rettig is responsible for driving the company’s growth plan in Asia and making sure that Evonik is present on the ground with modern production and a strong research and development footprint. With extensive experience in the international chemical markets and deep knowledge about the chemical industry in Asia, Dr. Rettig has played a pivotal role in realizing several strategic investments in the region. Dr. Rettig, who holds a doctorate in chemistry, began his career in Hüls AG, one of Evonik’s predecessor companies in 1987. He worked in South Africa and Japan respectively to oversee business strategies and operations for the company. In 2003, he returned to Germany as the President of the former Degussa Care Specialties Business Unit, and continued with various executive roles. In 2015, he was appointed as the Chairman of the Board of Management Evonik Resource Efficiency GmbH, before moving to his role in 2020 as the President of Smart Materials division of Evonik. Dr. Rettig was appointed the interim CFO for Evonik Industries AG on October 2025 – May 2026. He is also a Board Member on the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB) since February 2024. |
Panellist:

Ms. Wendy Cheong
Managing Director & Regional Head of APAC
Moody’s Ratings
Panelist
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Ms. Wendy CheongManaging Director and Regional Head of Asia Pacific
Wendy Cheong is Managing Director and Regional Head of Asia Pacific (APAC) for Moody’s Ratings, as well as CEO of Moody’s Ratings, Singapore. In this role, she leads on the development and execution of regional strategies and geographic initiatives across APAC, including ensuring compliance with evolving regulatory changes and expanding the company’s presence and business activities. Wendy also serves as Executive Board Member for all Moody’s Ratings entities in APAC as well as Non-Executive Director for its domestic rating agency affiliates in China, India, Korea, Malaysia and Vietnam. Wendy also represents the region as a member of Moody’s Corporation’s Global Operating Committee. Throughout her 16-year tenure at Moody’s, Wendy has held various global and regional roles in New York, Hong Kong and Singapore, including as Chief of Staff to Moody’s global President/CEO and Head of Strategy for APAC. Prior to joining Moody’s, she held senior positions in strategy, sales and marketing at Prudential PLC and SingTel. Wendy is committed to philanthropy and gender equality. She had served on the Board of the Asian Venture Philanthropy Network from 2020 to 2023 and was global executive sponsor of Moody’s Women’s Business Resource Group, championing initiatives that empower women in the workplace. Wendy holds a Bachelor of Arts in Southeast Asian Studies from the National University of Singapore. |
Panellist:

Mr. Foo Cexiang
Vice President, Port Ecosystem Development
PSA Singapore
Panelist
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Mr. Foo CexiangVice President, Port Ecosystem Development
Mr Foo Cexiang is the Vice-President for Port Ecosystem Development in PSA Singapore, where he drives the development of PSA’s Supply Chain Hub and inter-modal supply chain solutions, an integral part of PSA’s Node-to-Network strategy. Prior to joining PSA, he was the Director of Private & Future Mobility in the Ministry of Transport, where he oversaw the electric vehicle transition and other land transport policies, as well as the public-private Alliance for Action to strengthen Singapore as a global supply chain hub. Mr Foo’s earlier postings in the Singapore Civil Service, include roles in JTC Corporation and the Ministry of Trade & Industry, where he worked on land and manpower resource planning and management. He holds a Master of Engineering Leadership in Urban Systems from the University of British Columbia and a Bachelor of Science in City & Regional Planning from Cardiff University. He is also a Member of Parliament for Tanjong Pagar GRC.
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Panel 2: ASEAN’s Competitive Future amidst Trade Turbulence
Panellist:

Dr. Ludger Schuknecht
Vice President, Policy and Strategy
Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank
Panelist
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Dr. Ludger SchuknechtVice President, Policy and Strategy
Dr. Ludger Schuknecht is Vice President for Policy and Strategy. He drives AIIB’s strategic agenda, oversees AIIB’s environmental, social, fiduciary, and international relations policies, and manages the Bank’s administrative budget. Previously, he served as Vice President and Corporate Secretary of the Bank. Before joining AIIB in August 2021, he held important leadership posts at the national and international levels. He was a Visiting Professor at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, Singapore. Prior to this role, he was Deputy Secretary-General at the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and was previously Chief Economist and Director General of Germany’s Federal Finance Ministry. In this position, he served as the G20 Finance Deputy for Germany and Co-chair of the Infrastructure Investment Working Group of the G20. Schuknecht has extensive experience working with international financial institutions, including the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the European Central Bank and the World Trade Organization. He also acted as the Chief Negotiator for Germany in the founding of AIIB, making him one of the architects of AIIB and one of the drafters of its Articles of Agreement. He holds a Vordiplom in Economics from Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Germany; an MA in Economics from George Mason University, USA; and a Ph. D in Economics and a Habilitation in Economics from Universität Konstanz, Germany. Schuknecht is from Germany. |
Panellist:

Mr. Gareth Wong
Chief Operating Officer, Integrated Urban Solutions (IUS)
Head, Urban, Indonesia
Sembcorp Industries
Panelist
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Mr. Gareth WongChief Operating Officer, Integrated Urban Solutions (IUS)
Gareth is Chief Operating Officer of Sembcorp Industries’ Integrated Urban Solutions (IUS) business, one of the Group’s three core business lines. IUS comprises Sembcorp’s urban development and water businesses across China, Indonesia and Vietnam. In this role, he oversees operational performance across markets, driving synergies and efficiencies while ensuring alignment with the Group’s strategic objectives. He also leads IUS’ business expansion in Indonesia and serves as a Board Commissioner on Sembcorp’s joint ventures, including the 1,370-hectare Kendal Industrial Park in Central Java and the 100-hectare Tembesi Innovation District in Batam. Prior to this, Gareth was Head of Group Strategy & Projects in the Group CEO Office, where he led strategic partnerships and projects across the organisation. Headquartered in Singapore, Sembcorp is a Temasek portfolio company and a global expert in energy transition and sustainable development. Sembcorp has a balanced energy generation portfolio of 35.2GW, including 21.9GW of gross renewable capacity comprising solar, wind and battery energy storage systems. The company also has a proven track record of transforming raw land into sustainable developments, with a project portfolio spanning over 17,600 hectares across Asia. Before joining Sembcorp, Gareth was Chief Executive Officer of Mitbana Pte Ltd, a joint venture company of Mitsubishi Corporation and Surbana Jurong. He also held various senior roles including Deputy Managing Director of Surbana Jurong Capital, Group Director in the Chairman’s Office, and General Manager of Surbana Myanmar. Gareth was inducted into the World Economic Forum’s Forum of Young Global Leaders in 2021. He currently serves on the Board of Governors at Republic Polytechnic, Singapore. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Economics (First Class Honours, Dean’s List) from University College London and a Master of Science in Political Science from Columbia University. |
Panellist:

Mr. Kevin Wong
Chief Executive, Asia
Swift
Panelist
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Ms. Rosemary StoneChief Corporate Officer Rosemary was appointed Chief Corporate Officer in June 2024, with responsibility for global industry engagement, geopolitical analysis and public affairs, ESG, corporate governance and oversight affairs as well as corporate communications and Sibos. Prior to this role, Rosemary was Chief Business Development Officer with responsibility for global business development and client engagement. With over 25 years of leadership experience, Rosemary previously held several executive and senior management roles in the US, UK, and Belgium for Swift including Global Head of Human Resources, and Managing Director for the UK, Ireland and Nordics. Before joining Swift, Rosemary held senior roles in corporate and public affairs in both London and Brussels. Rosemary has a Master’s degree from Kings College London. |
Panel 3: Agency, Rules, and Partnerships in ASEAN and Asia-Pacific
Panel Keynote:

Dr. Kirida Bhaopichitr
Vice Minister of Commerce
Kingdom of Thailand
Panelist
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Dr. Kirida BhaopichitrVice Minister for Commerce
Dr. Kirida is a Vice Minister for Commerce of the Kingdom of Thailand since October 2025. She oversees the implementation of Thailand’s international trade policies and is active in trade discussions, international trade forums, and intergovernmental organizations. Dr. Kirida has represented Thailand on trade issues in ASEAN, APEC, OECD, and WTO ministerial-level meetings. She recently led the Thai delegation in the US Section 301 technical consultations with the USTR. Trained as an economist, Dr. Kirida’s specialization spans monitoring and analyzing developments of the global and Thai economies which includes the macroeconomic environment, international trade issues, and geo-economic developments. Prior to this, Dr. Kirida was the Director of Economic Intelligence Service (EIS) at the Thailand Development Research Institute (TDRI), a leading independent think tank in Thailand, for ten years. In that role, Dr. Kirida leads the preparation of content for the monthly seminars for corporate members on issues that are of high relevance and interest for business. From 1999 to 2015, Dr. Kirida was a Senior Country Economist for Thailand of the World Bank Group, where she led the preparation of the bi-annual Thailand Economic Monitors, the most downloaded World Bank report on Thailand. She also spent 2010-2011 working at the East Asia and Pacific Unit of the World Bank Group in Washington DC. She was also a director of the Board of Directors of the Government Housing Bank (2019-2024) and a director of the Khonkaen University Council (2021-2025). As a highly recognized economist in Thailand, Dr. Kirida appears regularly in local and international media and speaks at public and private high-level forums and conferences in Thailand and overseas. Dr. Kirida holds a Ph.D. in Economics from Cornell University (USA). |
Panellist:

H.E Tiffany McDonald
Ambassador
Australian Mission to ASEAN
Panelist
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H.E. Tiffany McDonaldAmbassador H.E. Tiffany McDonald is Australia’s Ambassador to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in Jakarta. Previously, she served as High Commissioner to Brunei during its ASEAN Chair year in 2021. As a senior career officer with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Ms McDonald has served in diplomatic roles in Jakarta, Seoul, and London, as Chargé d’Affaires at the Holy See, and as Deputy Ambassador in Paris. In Canberra, Ms McDonald has held various foreign policy, trade, multilateral, and legal roles. She has also delivered diplomatic training across Australian Government agencies, to Master’s students, and at international diplomatic academies. Ms McDonald holds a Master of Laws from the University of Queensland and a Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Laws from the Australian National University. She also completed a course on Law and Sustainability at the Smith School of Enterprise and the Environment, University of Oxford. In her spare time, she enjoys travelling with her husband and adult children, jogging, and playing golf. She grew up in Wagga Wagga, regional New South Wales, and continues to enjoy visiting family and friends there. |
Panellist:

Dr. Nguyen Thi Minh Phuong
Dean of the Faculty of International Economics
Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam (DAV)
Panelist
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Dr. Nguyen Thi Minh PhuongDean of the Faculty of International Economics
Dr. Nguyen Thi Minh Phuong is Dean of the Faculty of International Economics at the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam (DAV), under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam. Her research and policy interests focus on international economics, trade and investment, economic integration, and sustainable development. She has conducted research and published on ASEAN economic cooperation, regional trade and investment frameworks, foreign direct investment, global value chains, and the economic implications of major trade agreements for Vietnam. Her recent work also explores issues related to digital transformation, green transition, and economic resilience in a changing global environment. Drawing on both academic research and policy engagement, Dr. Phuong contributes perspectives on competitiveness, regional economic cooperation, economic governance, and the role of partnerships in promoting sustainable and resilient development in the Asia-Pacific region. |
Panellist:

Dr. Lili Yan Ing
Secretary General
International Economic Association (IEA)
Panelist
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Dr. Lili Yan IngSecretary General
Dr. Lili Yan Ing is the Secretary General of the International Economic Association (IEA), a globally recognized institution dedicated to pushing the boundaries of economic thought and addressing pressing global policy challenges. She is also a Distinguished Fellow of the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network (UN-SDSN), contributing to the formulation of sustainable economic solutions and strategies on a global scale. From 2012 to 2026, she served as Lead Advisor for the Southeast Asia Region at the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia, leading strategic initiatives to advance regional economic integration. Dr. Ing served as Lead Advisor to the Minister of Trade of the Republic of Indonesia (2017–2019) and previously as Senior Advisor on Trade and Investment at the President’s Office of Indonesia (2015–2016). During her tenure, Indonesia advanced trade and investment policy initiatives, including the successful conclusion of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), the Indonesia—Australia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), the Indonesia—Korea CEPA, and the Indonesia—EFTA CEPA. Dr. Ing was also involved in the reactivation of the Indonesia—EU CEPA. Additionally, she represented Indonesia at the G20 Trade Ministers Meeting and the WTO—OECD Trade Ministers Meeting in 2018. Her new book, The New Global Economic Order (ed with Dani Rodrik), adds to her distinguished work, that includes Local Content Requirements (ed with Gene Grossman), Robots and AI: A New Economic Era (ed with Gene Grossman), G20 Indonesia: New Normal, New Technologies, New Financing (ed with Dani Rodrik), The Indonesian Economy (ed with Gordon Hanson and Sri Mulyani Indrawati), World Trade Evolution (ed with Miaojie Yu), East Asian Integration (ed with Shujiro Urata and Martin Richardson), and Regional Integration and Non-Tariff Measures in ASEAN (ed with Ralf Peters and Olivier Cadot). In addition, she led the national teams in developing the Non-Tariff Measures (NTMs) database for the 16 East Asian countries from 2013 to 2015, NTM Database and is actively involved in envisioning the ASEAN Digital Community 2045. In recognition of her long-standing and significant contributions to the field of economics and policy globally, Dr. Ing was awarded the IEA Fellow Award in 2022. She received the PAFTAD Promising Young Economist award in 2009 following the completion of her PhD and graduated summa cum laude as the fastest completing graduate in her cohort from Gadjah Mada University in 1999. |
Panellist:

Mr. Lee Jae Hoon
Senior Advisor,
Kim & Chang
Former Vice Minister,
Ministry of Commerce, Industry, and Energy
Republic of Korea
Panelist
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Mr. Lee Jae HoonSenior Advisor
Jae Hoon Lee is a senior advisor at Kim & Chang’s corporate practice. Prior to joining the firm, Mr. Lee was in the public sector, serving in the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Energy (MOCIE) for more than 30 years. As the Vice Minister for Energy of MOCIE from 2008 to 2009, Mr. Lee was responsible for finalizing Korea’s first Long-Term Energy Master Plan, which covers the supply and demand prospects of energy from 2008 through 2030. Furthermore, he also introduced the Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) in order for Korea to drastically develop new and renewable energy sources in the energy market. Mr. Lee’s experience extends across a broad range of international trade and foreign direct investments. He led the Korean negotiation team on textile issues when the Korean and US governments completed their talks on the Korea-US Free Trade Agreement in early 2007. Mr. Lee also successfully launched the joint venture between LG Electronics and Philips Electronics (LG-Phillips Display Co.), coordinating several government ministries involved in establishing manufacturing facilities near the DMZ in Korea. He also has extensive work experience in Korean industrial development strategies in various areas such as automobile and shipbuilding. From 2011 to 2019, Mr. Lee served as the president of the Association of Energy Future Forum, which consists of most of Korea’s major energy companies and currently he leads the Association of Korea’s Semiconductor Suppliers Forum as a president. Before rejoining Kim & Chang in early 2018, Mr. Lee was the president of Korea Polytechnic University (KPU), which was founded by the Korean government, from 2014 to 2017. |
*Last updated: 30 June 2026. The programme is subject to change.













