Introduction
The ASEAN Community Vision 2025 serves as a testament to ASEAN's commitment towards sustainable development. This vision provides a comprehensive framework for ASEAN's efforts to promote sustainable and inclusive growth while addressing common regional challenges. ASEAN member countries have made remarkable progress in their pursuit of sustainable community and development goals, in alignment with the ASEAN Community Vision 2025.
Nevertheless, challenges persist across the three main thrusts. Addressing socio-economic disparities remains a challenge within the ASEAN Political-Security Community, requiring focused efforts to ensure inclusive development. The ASEAN Economic Community faces challenges related to environmental sustainability, including deforestation and pollution, which need to be effectively managed. The ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community continues to prioritize enhancing institutional coordination and mobilizing resources for sustainable development and advancing gender equality and women's empowerment.
In conjunction with Malaysia's upcoming Chairmanship of ASEAN in 2025, and drawing upon the achievements of preceding ICoFA editions, Faculty of Business and Management, UiTM Perlis Branch, Malaysia is delighted to announce the return of the International Conference on the Future of ASEAN (ICoFA) for its fifth instalment. Scheduled to take place virtually on January 15th-16th, 2025, the 5th ICoFA 2025 carries the overarching theme of "Towards ASEAN Community Vision 2025."
We cordially extend our invitation to you to partake in the 5th ICoFA 2025, welcoming contributions from policymakers, industry experts, researchers, academia, and stakeholders across Malaysia and other ASEAN nations. This conference serves as a platform for robust intellectual exchange, focusing on the envisioned future of ASEAN through the lenses of the Political-Security Community, Economic Community, and Socio-Cultural Community.