INVITATION – Hybrid Seminar on the 13th November in Brussels

by Aseancham Editor

 ASEANcham-EU Seminar: 

What does the new global order mean for ASEAN-EU trade and economic relations?

 

Co-organised by

ASEANcham-EU & UBI Business School

in partnership with

The Mission of Singapore to the EU

(as current Chair of the ASEAN Brussels Committee)

with support from

European Institute for Asian Studies (EIAS)

Thursday, 13 November 2025, 4pm – 6pm

UBI Business School (Rue de Namur 48, 1000 Brussels)

Preamble

Global trade is undergoing a fundamental transformation, fuelled by geopolitical shifts, evolving regulatory frameworks, and emerging technological advancements. From tariffs and supply chain shocks to growing pressure on multilateral institutions like the WTO and UN to prove their relevance, governments and businesses alike are navigating an increasingly fragmented trade and economic landscape. For ASEAN and the EU, this uncertainty brings both risks and opportunities and calls for dialogue on how to adapt.

ASEAN is the EU’s third-largest trading partner in goods, with total merchandise trade reaching €252.5 billion in 2023, while EU foreign direct investment in ASEAN has exceeded €330 billion, making the EU a long-term anchor of investment and industrial development in the region. Both sides also count the US and China as their biggest trade and investment partners.

This seminar gathers regional voices from business, policy, and academia to reflect on the broader shifts shaping trade policy today, and to explore what’s next for ASEAN–EU economic ties. From tariff volatility to evolving FTA frameworks, the panel discussions seek to unpack how firms and governments can position themselves amid rising global uncertainty.

Objectives 

The seminar seeks to:

  • Provide a timely platform to explore the implications of rising global trade tensions on ASEAN–EU economic relations.
  • Examine how businesses and policymakers in ASEAN and the EU can adapt to the evolving global trade environment, including changes in US trade policy and its knock-on effects.
  • Discuss the future of trade governance, the role of regional agreements, and opportunities for stronger ASEAN–EU collaboration amid uncertainty.
  • Connect key stakeholders from government, business, and academia to exchange views and strengthen the ASEAN–EU economic dialogue.

Agenda

Time Programme
15:30–16:00 Opening for registration

·       Pre-event reception (coffee/tea) available

·       Master of Ceremony: Mr Joses WONG, Secretary-General of ASEANcham-EU
16:00–16:05 Welcome remarks

·       Mr Desmond YAP, Deputy Managing Director of UBI Business School
16:05–16:10 Opening remarks

·       H.E. LIM Hong Huai,  Ambassador of Singapore to the EU and as Chair of the ASEAN Brussels Committee
 

16:10 –16:55

 Panel 1: Navigating the geopolitical landscape – Strategic partnerships, Multilateralism, and long-term cooperation.

 

  • Ms Leila FERNANDEZ-STEMBRIDGE, Head of Division, Southeast Asia & ASEAN · European External Action Service (EEAS)
  • Mr Wouter BEKE, Member of the European Parliament (EPP, Belgium) and Chair of the Delegation for relations with the countries of Southeast Asia and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)
  • H.E. Ambassador (ret.) Leo FABER, Vice-Chair of ASEANcham-EU
  • Dr Marcelo LEPORATI, Dean of Undergraduate Programmes and Learning Technologies, UBI

 

Moderated by Ms Lin GOETHALS, Director, European Institute for Asian Studies (EIAS)

Followed by Q&A
16:55 – 17:10 Coffee break
 

 

17:10 – 17:55

 Panel 2: Overcoming EU-ASEAN Trade challenges, opportunities through FTAs

  • Mr Hibiki KIMURA, International Trade and Competition Lawyer, Nishimura and Asahi and Policy Manager, Japan Business Council in Europe
  • Mr Aitor MONTESA LLORADA, Deputy Head of Unit for South and South East Asia, Australia and New Zealand, EU DG Trade
  • Mr Di-Ting SHIH, Managing Director, CP Foods Europe
  • Ms Natasha YOKOYAMA, First Secretary (Trade), Singapore Mission to the EU

Moderated by Dr Gaston FORNES, Dean of UBI

Followed by Q&A
17:55 – 18:00 Closing Remarks & Event Wrap-Up

·       H.E. Ambassador (ret.) Michael MATTHIESSEN, Vice-Chair of ASEANcham-EU
18:00 – 19:00 Networking Reception

·       Sponsored by UBI Business School & Thai Café

Registration

On-site*: https://aseancham-eu.idloom.events/hybrid-seminar-on-what-does-the-new-global-order-mean-for-asean-eu-trade-and-economic-relations

* Please note that the venue has limited seats so your on-site attendance needs to be confirmed by the organisers. In case the capacity is full, we will be pleased to invite you to attend the event online.

Online: https://qrco.de/bgOMgM

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