Malaysia Launches ATCDS 2025, Paving Path for ASEAN Innovation

The ASEAN Technology Cooperation & Development Summit 2025 (ATCDS 2025) officially commenced on November 27, 2025, at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC) in Kuala Lumpur. The event was officiated by YAB Datuk Amar Haji Fadillah bin Haji Yusof, the Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia. This summit, which is part of Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship for 2025, attracted over 2,000 delegates in person and more than 50,000 online viewers, marking a significant milestone for regional technological collaboration.

ATCDS 2025 brings together more than 40 prominent global investors, industry leaders, scientists, and policymakers, establishing itself as a vital platform for innovation and cross-border scientific cooperation in Southeast Asia. During his opening address, Deputy Prime Minister Fadillah emphasized the importance of viewing technology, talent, and regional cohesion as strategic assets. He articulated Malaysia’s goal to enhance research funding and attract global innovators, aiming to position the country as a central hub for scientific collaboration across the ASEAN region.

Strengthening Regional Cooperation

Fadillah also announced that the summit would continue on an annual basis, reflecting ASEAN’s commitment to fostering long-term innovation partnerships. In a welcome speech, Ms. Ravenna Chen, Summit Chairperson and CEO of Intrinsic SEA, highlighted the necessity for ASEAN to shift from fragmented innovation efforts to a more coordinated regional approach. She noted that ASEAN’s population size, demographic advantages, and rapidly expanding digital economy provide a unique opportunity for the region to emerge as a global innovation center.

Chen stressed the importance of strengthening cross-border research collaborations, technology transfer mechanisms, and frameworks for talent mobility. She stated that the future of innovation must be “co-created and shared,” especially as technological advancements reshape various sectors, including supply chains, digital trust frameworks, and educational systems.

Offering a broader perspective, Antonio I. Basilio, Director of the Asia Pacific Business Council, pointed out the increasing interdependence between ASEAN and the wider APEC region, which collectively represents over 60% of global GDP. He praised Malaysia’s robust semiconductor ecosystem and progressive digital regulations, asserting that these factors position the country as a strategic partner for regional cooperation in areas such as AI governance, digital trade, and sustainable industrial development.

Launches and Collaborations at the Summit

The opening ceremony featured several significant launches, including the official unveiling of ATCDS 2025 and a new publication titled ASEAN Economic. Multiple strategic memoranda of understanding (MOUs) were signed involving Intrinsic SEA, SIEF, AISED, and MIMOS, reinforcing Malaysia’s pivotal role within ASEAN’s innovation ecosystem and enhancing global scientific collaboration.

The summit’s agenda will delve into critical technological priorities over its three-day program, including ministerial dialogues, scientific discussions, and innovation showcases. Sessions will cover various topics, such as future mobility, digital healthcare, sustainable building technologies, the Halal digital economy, and entrepreneurship.

Additionally, the summit will feature Intrinsic Pitch 2025, an innovation showcase designed to connect emerging startups with regional venture investors. By bringing together policymakers, scientists, corporate leaders, and global innovation agencies, ATCDS 2025 reinforces Malaysia’s growing influence as a regional hub for innovation diplomacy and highlights ASEAN’s potential within global value chains.

The collaborations and discussions initiated at ATCDS 2025 are expected to lead to new cross-border research initiatives, policy frameworks, and talent development pathways. These efforts aim to shape the region’s innovation landscape well beyond 2025, ensuring a collaborative approach to emerging technological challenges.