ASEAN+3 Forum Launches in Hong Kong to Enhance Regional Resilience

The 4th ASEAN+3 Economic Cooperation and Financial Stability Forum officially commenced in Hong Kong on November 25, 2025. Organized by the ASEAN+3 Macroeconomic Research Office (AMRO) in collaboration with the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) and the Bank for International Settlements (BIS), this year’s Forum addresses pressing issues arising from a global environment characterized by increasing fragmentation.

Senior policymakers, economists, and thought leaders from the ASEAN+3 region and beyond gathered to discuss strategies aimed at safeguarding financial stability, enhancing macro-financial resilience, and promoting sustainable long-term growth. The theme for this year’s Forum is “Fragmentation to Resilience: Macro-financial Stability and Regional Integration in ASEAN+3.”

During the opening ceremony, AMRO Director/CEO Yasuto Watanabe emphasized the need for the region to adapt to global changes. “Amid global fragmentation, the architecture of interconnection needs to evolve,” he stated. Watanabe stressed that strengthening integration and reinforcing financial frameworks are essential for the region to remain adaptable and capable of absorbing economic shocks.

Echoing this sentiment, Eddie Yue, Chief Executive of the HKMA, noted the importance of regional collaboration. “Through enhanced regional collaboration and integration, ASEAN+3 economies have strengthened their resilience to shocks amid a challenging external environment,” Yue said. He expressed confidence that discussions at the Forum would provide valuable insights for future cooperation in addressing macroeconomic risks and navigating the shifting global financial landscape.

The Forum features two major sessions designed to facilitate in-depth discussions. The first session, titled “Macroeconomic Risks and Regional Integration Amid Global Fragmentation,” includes keynote speeches from Heiwai Tang, Director of the Asia Global Institute at The University of Hong Kong, and Barry Eichengreen, Distinguished Professor at the University of California, Berkeley. This session will be moderated by Dong He, Chief Economist at AMRO.

The second session, focusing on “The Changing Global Financial Landscape: Implications for Monetary and Financial Stability,” will feature keynote addresses from Julia Leung, Chief Executive Officer of the Securities and Futures Commission, and Hyun Song Shin, Economic Adviser and Head of the Monetary and Economic Department at BIS. This session will conclude with a panel discussion moderated by Daniel Rees, Head of Central Bank Cooperation at BIS.

The 4th AMRO Forum coincides with the ASEAN+3 Finance and Central Bank Deputies’ Meeting, further solidifying its role as a crucial platform for policy dialogue and regional cooperation. AMRO expressed gratitude to both the HKMA and BIS for their support in facilitating this important event.

For those who cannot attend in person, the Forum is available for online viewing, with selected opening remarks and keynote speeches to be published on the AMRO website post-event.

Established to promote macroeconomic and financial stability, AMRO serves as a regional knowledge hub for the ASEAN+3 region, which includes members from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, along with China, Hong Kong, Japan, and Korea. Its mandate includes conducting macroeconomic surveillance, supporting regional financial arrangements, and providing technical assistance to member countries. For further information, visit the AMRO website or follow them on LinkedIn.