Asia Unites at Boao Forum to Chart Collaborative Growth
The Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) 2025 Annual Conference concluded Friday in Hainan, drawing over 2,000 policymakers, business leaders, and academics from 60+ countries and regions. Under the theme 'Asia in the Changing World: Towards a Shared Future,' the four-day event highlighted strategies for economic integration and sustainable development.
Key Focus Areas
Discussions centered on four pillars: adapting to global economic shifts, fostering innovation-driven growth, enhancing climate resilience, and strengthening multilateral cooperation. Speakers emphasized Asia’s role as a stabilizing force amid geopolitical uncertainties, with calls to streamline cross-border technology partnerships and green energy investments.
Decoding BFA’s Legacy
Since its 2001 founding, the BFA has evolved into Asia’s premier platform for consensus-building. This year’s outcomes included proposals for digital trade frameworks and disaster-resilient infrastructure networks. Chinese Premier Li Qiang underscored 'win-win collaboration' as vital to overcoming supply chain fragmentation.
Participants Weigh In
‘This forum reminded us that Asia’s diversity is its strength,’ said ASEAN Business Advisory Council representative Tan Sri Munir Majid. Meanwhile, World Bank Vice President Manuela Ferro highlighted youth upskilling initiatives as critical to maintaining the region’s competitive edge.
The conference closed with commitments to advance next-gen AI governance standards and expand renewable energy cross-investments across Asian markets.
