Asia Society Australia is delighted to invite you to an exclusive Executive Briefing with ISEAS Director and CEO, Mr. CHOI Shing Kwok, and Senior Fellow, Ms. Sharon SEAH.

The ASEAN Studies Centre at ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute's State of Southeast Asia 2024 Survey reveals that unemployment, climate change, and intensifying economic tensions between major powers are the region’s priority concerns. In an evolving geopolitical context and amidst the ongoing China-United States (U.S.) rivalry, the report also unveils that China has edged past the U.S. this year to become the prevailing choice if the region were forced to align itself.

Drawing on their extensive expertise, Mr. Choi and Ms. Seah will present the key findings and implications of their latest report. Coming off the 50th anniversary celebrations between ASEAN and Australia, ISEAS experts will also discuss the region’s assessment of Australia’s renewed political and economic engagement, including the report Invested: Australia's Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to 2040, and the economic and geopolitical implications for Australia in the region.

Following their remarks, participants will be invited to ask questions and share their own perspectives with the ISEAS delegation.

This event is member only. It will be conducted under the Chatham House Rule. Registration is essential as tickets are limited. For any enquiries, please contact [email protected]

Date: Monday 17 June 

Time: 10:45 am arrival for a 11:00 am to 12:00 pm briefing. Morning tea will be provided.

Location: Sydney CBD

About our Speakers 

CHOI Shing Kwok, Director and Chief Executive Officer, ISEAS - Yusof Ishak Institute

Mr CHOI Shing Kwok was appointed Director and Chief Executive Officer of the ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute in January 2018 and also took on the role of Head of ASEAN Studies Centre at the Institute in March 2020. Prior to this appointment, Mr Choi was the Permanent Secretary in the then Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources (now renamed the Ministry of Sustainability and Environment) from 2012 to 2017. He started his career in the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) in 1978 and held various appointments in the SAF and Ministry of Defence till 2005. After leaving the Ministry of Defence, Mr Choi held the post of Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Transport from 2005 to 2012. Mr Choi earned his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Engineering from the University of Cambridge and a Master’s in Public Administration from Harvard University.

Sharon SEAH, Senior Fellow and concurrent Coordinator, ASEAN Studies Centre and Climate Change in Southeast Asia Programme, ISEAS - Yusof Ishak Institute

Ms Sharon SEAH is Senior Fellow and concurrent Coordinator of the ASEAN Studies Centre and the Climate Change in Southeast Asia Programme at ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute. Prior to academia, Ms Seah spent 15 years in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Singapore and the National Environment Agency. Her research interests are in ASEAN, multilateralism, rule of law, and climate change. Ms Seah graduated with a Master in Public and International Law from the University of Melbourne in 2018. She is the co-editor and author of the 50 Years of ASEAN and Singapore (World Scientific: 2017) and editor of Building a New Legal Order for the Oceans (NUS Press: 2019). She is also the lead author of The State of Southeast Asia Survey Report and the Southeast Asia Climate Outlook Survey