ASEAN Law Forum 2025 Agenda
Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform)
Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform)
This panel will explore the evolving landscape of commercial arbitration across ASEAN, focusing on the adoption of the UNCITRAL Model Law, jurisdictional and procedural challenges, and the interplay between arbitration and national judiciaries. It will also consider how legal, social, and cultural diversity shapes arbitral jurisprudence and examine the role of effective arbitration in supporting business confidence and regional trade.
In collaboration with
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This panel will examine the role of commercial mediation in resolving cross-border disputes within ASEAN, focusing on regional legal frameworks, practical opportunities and challenges, and the impact of technological innovation. Discussions will also address ethical considerations and the enforceability of settlement agreements, particularly in light of instruments like the Singapore Convention, highlighting mediation’s growing importance in facilitating cross-border commerce.
In collaboration with
This panel will explore how strengthening commercial law frameworks can help unlock the full potential of e-commerce in ASEAN. It will highlight the need for updated legal systems to support cross-border transactions in an increasingly digital and borderless economy. Panellists will examine ASEAN’s leadership in shaping unified e-commerce regulations, including the ASEAN Agreement on Electronic Commerce, and discuss legal cooperation on key issues such as data privacy, consumer protection, and safe electronic transactions as outlined in the ASEAN Economic Community Blueprint.
This panel will address the critical role of robust cross-border insolvency frameworks in building investor confidence across ASEAN. It will bring together regional, international, and industry voices to examine current challenges, including inconsistent enforcement, and explore how aligning national frameworks with international standards can enhance legal certainty. The discussion will also consider the potential for a formal ASEAN mechanism for mutual recognition and enforcement of insolvency proceedings, aiming to create a more stable and predictable investment environment.
This panel will explore the intersection of good governance, business, and human rights in ASEAN, highlighting the strategic importance of robust regulation for sustainable economic growth and international competitiveness. Panellists will examine how strengthened institutional capacity, and regulatory enforcement can enhance corporate accountability. The discussion will also consider the role of ESG standards, corporate responsibility, and regional knowledge-sharing in supporting member states to uphold human rights in business practices.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform)
Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia II & Minister of Energy Transition and Water Transformation
This panel will examine emerging approaches to online safety across ASEAN, spotlighting Malaysia’s newly introduced Online Safety Act 2024. It will draw on recent experiences from Malaysia and Singapore as regional frontrunners in regulating digital platforms and explore the relevance of existing international frameworks. The discussion will address the regulatory challenges posed by big-tech companies, while also considering how Malaysia’s leadership can inform broader ASEAN efforts to build safer and more accountable digital environments.
Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law & Institutional Reform)
This panel will explore how ASEAN and Japan can deepen cooperation in international commercial arbitration to support cross-border trade and investment. It will highlight the strategic value of arbitration for businesses seeking legal certainty and effective risk management, while also addressing persistent challenges such as procedural inefficiencies, costs, and limited uptake of alternative dispute resolution. Panellists will examine how arbitration frameworks can align international best practices with local legal traditions, and discuss the transformative role of technology, AI, and digital case management in making arbitration more accessible and efficient
In collaboration with
This panel will examine how public-private partnerships can drive AI-led innovation in the legal sector across ASEAN. It will explore ways to align the priorities of legal institutions and technology companies, while addressing key regulatory challenges such as data protection, intellectual property, and liability. Panellists will also discuss opportunities to overcome regional barriers and highlight the need for robust accountability frameworks to ensure transparency, mitigate algorithmic bias, and build trust in AI applications within legal systems.
This panel will explore the complex and fast-evolving landscape of cyber-related crimes in ASEAN, with a particular focus on the surge in transborder job scams and digital fraud. It will assess the role of ASEANAPOL as a central enforcement body and examine legal mechanisms to prevent the exploitation of computer systems. Drawing on successful regional and international collaborations, the discussion will highlight best practices for securing e-wallets and cross-border transactions. The panel will also consider proposals for a coordinated ASEAN framework to enhance enforcement and safeguard the region’s digital economy.
This panel will explore the growing use of artificial intelligence in criminal justice systems across ASEAN, assessing both its potential and the challenges it raises. Panellists will examine how AI tools can enhance efficiency and decision-making, while addressing concerns around bias, transparency, and the preservation of human judgment. The discussion will focus on promoting responsible innovation that aligns with legal safeguards and ethical standards.
In collaboration with
This panel will explore the growing intersection between arbitration and Islamic finance in ASEAN, focusing on how Shariah principles can be applied in dispute resolution. It will examine the impact of emerging trends such as fintech and ethical finance on arbitration practices, and assess the implications of legalising third-party funding in Islamic finance disputes. Panellists will also highlight the leadership role of Malaysia, the Asian International Arbitration Centre (AIAC), and regional stakeholders in advancing the development of Islamic arbitration frameworks across ASEAN
In collaboration with
This panel will examine the role of arbitration in promoting fairness, integrity, and effective dispute resolution within the sports industry across ASEAN. It will explore regulatory frameworks and best practices for handling sports-related disputes, both commercial and non-commercial, and assess how arbitration mechanisms can level the playing field for all stakeholders. The discussion will also consider opportunities for regional cooperation to enhance access to justice and ensure balanced, transparent outcomes in the fast-evolving world of sports.
In collaboration with
This panel will explore the evolving landscape of maritime arbitration in ASEAN, focusing on recent developments in shipping disputes and the growing role of regional arbitration institutions. Panellists will examine how global trends are reshaping maritime dispute resolution. The discussion will also identify emerging challenges and propose strategies for ASEAN-based parties and institutions to strengthen their role in shaping the future of maritime arbitration in the region.
In collaboration with
This panel, hosted by the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA), will examine the rising importance of ESG-related regulations in global supply chains and their implications for ASEAN governments and businesses. It will assess the role of international arbitration in resolving ESG disputes between companies, and explore how legal professionals in the region can build capacity to navigate compliance and conflict resolution challenges.
In collaboration with
Registration & Networking Breakfast
Arrival of YB Dato’ Sri Azalina Othman Said
Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Malaysia
Arrival of YAB Dato’ Seri Anwar bin Ibrahim
Prime Minister of Malaysia
Welcoming Address
Opening Address
Keynote Address
Joint Statement by ASEAN Law Ministers on International Commercial Arbitration and Mediation Development
End of Ceremony
Coffee Break
End of ASEAN Law Forum 2025
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