Distinguished guests and speakers
UTAR reaffirmed its commitment to fostering inclusive global cooperation through its co-organisation of the International Forum on New Inclusive Asia 2025 (IFNIA 2025), held on 13 December 2025 at the Connexion Conference & Event Centre, Bangsar South.
The forum, themed The Rise of the Global South – From the Bandung Conference to Building a Community with Shared Future, brought together distinguished scholars, policymakers, and thought leaders to reflect on the enduring legacy of the 1955 Bandung Conference and to examine the evolving role of the Global South in shaping contemporary global governance, peace, and sustainable development.
IFNIA 2025 was co-organised by the Centre for New Inclusive Asia (CNIA), UTAR ASEAN Research Center for a Community with Shared Future (ACSF), the Institute for a Community with Shared Future (ICSF), Communication University of China (CUC), and the Global Governance Institution, with support from the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Malaysia.
The opening ceremony was graced by distinguished guests, including CNIA Chairman Tan Sri Ong Tee Keat, Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Malaysia Minister Zheng Xuefang, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Malaysia Institute of Diplomacy and Foreign Relations (IDFR) Director General Dato’ Zainol Rahim Zainuddin, Nanjing University School of International Studies Dean Prof Dr Zhu Feng, and Tun Tan Cheng Lock Institute of Social Studies Director Assoc Prof Dr Chin Yee Mun, among others.
The forum commenced with a welcome address by CNIA President Mr Koh King Kee, followed by remarks from UTAR President Ir Prof Dato’ Dr Ewe Hong Tat, ICSF Vice Dean Prof Zhang Yanqiu, and Global Governance Institution President Dr Tian Shichen via video recording, setting the tone for a day of in-depth dialogue and exchange.
In his address, Prof Dato’ Ewe highlighted UTAR’s pride in co-organising the forum and emphasised the University’s role in promoting academic collaboration and mutual understanding across ASEAN and the wider Global South. He noted that the forum was held at a particularly meaningful time following the state visit of the President of China to Malaysia in April 2025, during which both countries issued a joint statement on building a high-level strategic community with a shared future. He added that the statement’s recognition of the ACSF, jointly established by UTAR and CUC, affirmed UTAR’s role as a key academic platform for regional and international cooperation.
Prof Dato’ Ewe delivering his welcome remarks via video recording
Minister Zheng Xuefang, Dato’ Zainol Rahim Zainuddin, and Tan Sri Ong Tee Keat each underscored the enduring significance of the Bandung Spirit and the Global South’s growing influence in global affairs. Minister Zheng reaffirmed China’s commitment to the Global South through shared development, the Belt and Road Initiative, and support for fairer global governance. Dato’ Zainol highlighted the Global South’s evolution in a multipolar world, stressing the importance of people-centred, inclusive, and sustainable development, in line with Malaysia’s MADANI framework. Tan Sri Ong emphasised the Bandung Spirit’s continued relevance in opposing unilateralism and coercive measures, advocating principled multilateralism, enhanced financial resilience—particularly through platforms such as BRICS—and strategic autonomy for developing nations.
The forum featured three thematic sessions. Session I, titled Legacy and Spirit of the Bandung Conference, featured Distinguished Prof Dato’ Dr Rajah Rasiah, Executive Director of the Asia-Europe Institute, University of Malaya; Prof Zhang Suqiu from ICSF; and Mr M Habib Abiyan Dzakwan, researcher from the Department of International Relations, Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). The speakers reflected on Bandung’s enduring relevance in advocating sovereignty, equality, and solidarity among developing nations. The session was moderated by Dr Chin.
Session II, Navigating Multipolarity – The Global South in a Shifting World Order in the 21st Century, featured Prof Zhu, Dr Yanitha Meena Louis, Analyst at the Institute of Strategic and International Studies (ISIS), and Assoc Prof Dr Loh Ming Hui Dylan from Nanyang Technological University. The panellists discussed contemporary global challenges and emerging opportunities for the Global South. The session was moderated by Dr Peter Chang, Visiting Senior Fellow at the ISEAS–Yusof Ishak Institute.
Session III, titled Towards a Shared Future – Building Inclusive and Sustainable Partnerships, featured Prof Huang Jing, Director of the Institute of US and Asia-Pacific Studies, Shanghai International Studies University (via video recording); Prof Jean-Christophe Bas, Vice President of International and Strategic Relations at Aspen Institute France and Academic Director of the European Network Community with Shared Future (via video recording); and Dr Soon Thean Bee, Chairperson of ACSF. The session focused on pathways for cooperation, sustainable development, and inclusive growth, and was moderated by Dr Peter Chang.
The forum concluded with closing remarks by Dr Chin. Through IFNIA 2025, UTAR once again demonstrated its dedication to fostering meaningful international discourse, nurturing global-minded graduates, and contributing scholarly insights towards building a more inclusive, peaceful, and sustainable future for the Global South.
Speakers and moderator of Session I: Legacy and Spirit of the Bandung Conference
Panellists and moderator of Session II: Navigating Multipolarity – The Global South in a Shifting World Order in the 21st Century
Panellists and moderator of Session III: Towards a Shared Future – Building Inclusive and Sustainable Partnerships
Attendees participating in the Q&A session
Closing remark by Dr Chin
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