Secretary-General of ASEAN delivers opening remarks via video message at the ASEAN-UNFPA Forum on Population Dynamics and Development 2025

Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, delivered opening remarks via video message at the Inaugural ASEAN-UNFPA Forum on Population Dynamics and Development 2025, held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on 10-11 November 2025. The Forum, organised by the UNFPA Asia-Pacific Regional Office with support from the ASEAN Secretariat, was conceived as a collaborative platform for ASEAN Member States to share lessons, anticipate policy needs, and strengthen regional cooperation on population dynamics and their implications for sustainable development. In his remarks, SG Dr. Kao urged for strategic shifts, and emphasised prioritising and integrating demographic planning across all pillars. The discussions focused on key thematic areas including fertility and family dynamics, ageing, health and social support systems, migration and mobility, youth, workforce, and intergenerational solidarity. The Forum underscores ASEAN's commitment to fostering evidence-based, inclusive, and forward-looking research and policies that enable the region to adapt to demographic shifts, aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals and the ASEAN Community Vision 2045.