Kuala Lumpur: The Women Economic Forum (WEF) ASEAN 2025 concluded today after three impactful days of dialogue, culminating in the announcement of 27 comprehensive resolutions designed to accelerate women’s leadership and inclusive economic growth across the ASEAN region and beyond. ASEAN WEF 2025 president Dr. Hartini Osman stated that the resolutions represent a bold, actionable roadmap for ASEAN nations to empower women through targeted leadership, education, innovation, and policy integration.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, these outcomes are crucial for realizing the aspirations of women across ASEAN and globally to advance empowerment, to give voice to those often unheard, and to carry a collective mandate forward. Dr. Osman emphasized that these resolutions will be presented to the Prime Minister and relevant ministers to support the development of gender-related policies that are inclusive, effective, and responsive to women’s real needs. This announcement was made at the closing ceremony of WEF ASEAN 2025 at Dewan Perdana, Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI).
The forum, themed ‘Women Leaders Beyond Borders: Shaping the Future of the ASEAN Sheconomy’, commenced on June 19 and was officially closed by Deputy Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Dr. Noraini Ahmad, alongside Women Economic Forum founder and president Dr. Harbeen Arora Rai. The closing ceremony also featured the official handing over of the WEF ASEAN 2025 resolutions to Dr. Harbeen and the symbolic passing of the baton to the Philippines, which will host the next edition of the WEF forum in October 2026.
Dr. Hartini outlined that the resolution is structured across four key dimensions. The first, ‘Inner Power’, focuses on empowering women from within through leadership, education, and innovation. The second dimension, ‘Inclusion’, promotes equitable and sustainable economic growth. The third dimension, ‘Integration’, emphasizes cultural, digital, and policy integration for Sheconomy Growth, while the fourth dimension, ‘Innovation’, calls for improved global connectivity and visibility of Sheconomy in post-normal times.
The forum gathered 614 participants from 33 countries, supported by four advisory board members, nine ASEAN advisors, and three ministries: the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI), Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development, and the Health Ministry. The high-impact programme featured 24 parallel sessions, 10 plenary discussions, six workshops, nine roundtable sessions, and four firechat dialogues, supported by four keynote speakers, 29 moderators, and 20 members of the organizing secretariat.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, Noraini highlighted that the forum serves as a powerful testament to what can be achieved when shared purpose is matched by decisive action, and when women unite across borders to build a common and brighter future. She asserted that the forum sparks inspiration and provides a blueprint for long-term cooperation, stating that the ideas born here have the potential to shape policies, influence markets, and redefine inclusive leadership in ASEAN and beyond.
Noraini also acknowledged the challenges that come with bold ideas, including complexity, limited resources, resistance to change, steep learning curves, and the need for time to test and refine them. She reaffirmed the commitment to good governance as the cornerstone of impactful intergenerational agendas. As the forum moves from discussion to implementation, the principles of transparency, accountability, efficiency, and effectiveness remain vital. She expressed belief that the outcomes of this forum will translate into real, measurable actions through sound policies, innovative enterprises, community-led efforts, and meaningful collaborations.