UP urges stronger Korea-ASEAN policy cooperation to boost economies

Insider Spotlight

• UP called for deeper policy collaboration to strengthen governance and development across ASEAN transition economies.
• The symposium identified public sector reform, institutional capacity, and regional partnerships as priorities for future cooperation.
• Policymakers and researchers highlighted sustained knowledge exchange as key to translating research into practical reforms.

The University of the Philippines (UP) used the 13th Korea-ASEAN Community of Policy Exchange (KACPE) International Public Policy Symposium to push for stronger regional policy collaboration, urging governments, research institutions, and universities to deepen partnerships that can support institutional reforms and sustainable economic development across Southeast Asia.

Hosted for the first time in the Philippines, the symposium gathered about 160 policymakers, government officials, academics, and researchers from Southeast Asia, South Korea, and Australia to examine how comparative policy experiences can help address governance and development challenges in ASEAN transition economies, particularly Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, and Myanmar.

The big picture

Under the theme "Advancing National Development in ASEAN Transition Economies through Korea-ASEAN Strategic Partnership," discussions centered on strengthening state capacity, improving public sector performance, expanding diplomatic and security cooperation, and building socio-political and cultural institutions through cross-border collaboration. Organizers positioned the forum as a platform for developing practical policy recommendations rather than simply exchanging academic research.

Angelo Jimenez

The University of the Philippines chief urged stronger policy coordination between Korea and the ASEAN region.

In his opening remarks, University of the Philippines president Angelo Jimenez said effective policymaking depends on evidence, institutional capability, and continuous learning among countries.

“An effective policy can pave the road to national development. But the road to crafting effective policies is another matter altogether,” he said on Friday, Sept. 18, 2026 at the forum held in Pasay City. “It requires evidence, experience, institutional capacity, and, perhaps most importantly, the willingness to listen and learn from others.”

Policy outlook

Jimenez said ASEAN countries should move beyond sharing experiences and focus on adapting successful policy approaches to local conditions, noting that geopolitical tensions, economic disruptions, and technological change require stronger institutions and more coordinated regional responses. He also stressed that governments should invest in diplomatic capacity, public sector reform, and evidence-based policymaking supported by universities and research organizations.

He added that the symposium should serve as a launching point for longer-term research partnerships, institutional exchanges, and continuing policy dialogue that can translate comparative research into actionable reforms. According to Jimenez, sustained cooperation across governments, academia, and research institutions will be essential to advancing inclusive and sustainable development throughout the region.

— Edited by Daxim L. Lucas