Asia Asset Management (AAM), in collaboration with Brunei Institute of Leadership & Islamic Finance (BILIF), and with the support of Brunei Darussalam Central Bank (BDCB), hosted ‘The 3rd ASEAN Forum: The Future of Finance’ on Tuesday, 8 July 2025 at The Empire Brunei, Bandar Seri Begawan. The event was also supported by China Universal Asset Management, Bank Islam Brunei Darussalam (BIBD), PGIM Fixed Income and S&P Dow Jones Indices.
The forum, themed ‘Navigating an Era of Transition’, aims to explore the shifting financial landscape amid global uncertainties. By convening policymakers, regulators, and industry experts, the forum facilitated discussions on emerging challenges, strategic opportunities, and innovative solutions, ensuring ASEAN’s financial sector remains resilient and competitive in a rapidly evolving global economy.
The event commenced with a welcoming remark by Mr. Tan Lee Hock, Founder and Publisher, AAM.
The event continued with a keynote address delivered by Yang Mulia Dato Seri Paduka Haji Khairuddin bin Haji Abdul Hamid, Deputy Minister of Finance and Economy (Economy) as Chairman of Brunei Darussalam Central Bank (BDCB) Board of Directors, as representative of the Guest of Honour, Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Dr. Awang Haji Mohd Amin Liew Abdullah, Minister at The Prime Minister’s Office and Minister of Finance and Economy II. In his speech, he highlighted that the future of finance will be shaped by greater climate awareness, increasing complexity and digitalisation, heightened volatility, and a stronger reliance on trust, cooperation, and global interconnectedness. He also added that Brunei Darussalam and its neighbours should rise as a united ASEAN and invest in their people, scaling up sustainable and Islamic finance, and embracing digital transformation with purpose and integrity.
The forum featured insightful presentations and panel discussions on key topics, including multi-asset risk management and investment strategies, the evolving role of ASEAN pension funds, infrastructure financing in the region, as well as the emergence of digital assets and sustainable wealth management. Representatives of pension funds, regulatory bodies, and investment institutions from Brunei Darussalam, Thailand, the Philippines, Singapore, and other ASEAN countries reinforced the forum’s core message on the importance of strategic leadership, innovation, and regional collaboration in navigating today’s global investment challenges.
The forum concluded with a closing remark by Yang Mulia Afero Eswandy Mohamad, Acting Chief Executive Officer,
BILIF, as the Centre of Excellence for the finance industry in Brunei Darussalam, continues to pursue its mission to shape future leaders, experts, and innovators, particularly in the areas of Islamic finance and leadership through immersive programmes and world-class events. For more information on BILIF, please visit the BILIF website at www.bilif.com.bn or BILIF’s Instagram@BILIF.bn.