Following an insightful journey this year across #MENA 🌍, I’m stepping back soon into #APAC arena — at a moment when cities and regional governments are being called upon to play a more active role in shaping urban trajectories.
First stop: #KualaLumpur 🇲🇾, where I’ve received a warm invitation from the team at URBANICE MALAYSIA to attend a rare convergence of three major events — #ASUF, #AGMF, and #MGMAC — all under the banner of #Malaysia 🇲🇾’s #ASEAN Chairmanship 2025. This unique platform brings together mayors and regional leaders from across #SoutheastAsia 🌏 to exchange expertise, coordinate policies, and assert their central role in the region’s urban future.
These events are championed by the new progressive Mayor of #KualaLumpur 🇲🇾, a visionary leader whose commitment to local and regional governance resonates with the evolving #ASEAN sustainability agenda. I had the privilege of meeting her earlier in #Singapore 🇸🇬 during her tenure at UN-Habitat (United Nations Human Settlements Programme) — an encounter that deepened my conviction about the crucial role cities and regions play in urban #diplomacy and political #governance.
Within this framework, I’ll contribute as a panelist in a session led by ERIA: Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia, supported by CITYNET AP and The ASEAN Secretariat, focusing on urban #digitaltwins, political #governance, and #sustainability challenges — highlighting how cities and regions can harness #integrated solutions to govern increasingly complex urban systems.
This work feeds into an ongoing strategic #study, aiming to influence policymaking and practice across #SoutheastAsia 🌏, with #publication expected by year-end. It will also mark the first physical gathering of our #expertgroup, with a 3-day side event to share draft contributions, discuss challenges, and align our collective vision of context-sensitive #urbaninnovation — grounded in robust #datagovernance.
I will remain active across the region 🌏 in the coming months, with several high-level engagements already confirmed. Notably, I’ve been invited as the sole international guest speaker and panelist at a major national event this September in #KualaLumpur 🇲🇾, dedicated to exploring #Malaysia’s urban futures.
This journey will culminate in #Japan 🇯🇵, where I will reconnect with a network developed over more than a decade — especially in the #automotive sector, now undergoing significant transformation 🚗⚡️. I will also attend the #Expo2025 Osaka before its closure in mid-October, with potential engagements facilitated through European 🇪🇺 collaborative initiatives.
Let’s reconnect — over a teh tarik 🧋 or matcha tea 🍵 — wherever the region brings us together. Much more is unfolding behind the scenes — stay tuned and follow along for what’s next!
