BY INVITATION ONLY

ASEAN Women Economic Summit 2025

Where Power Meets Purpose. Where Women Move ASEAN.

AWES 2025 isn’t just a summit — it’s a movement.
A bold, regional platform where trailblazers, visionaries, and changemakers gather to unlock a new era of women-led growth across ASEAN.

On 24–25 May 2025, at the heart of Kuala Lumpur, the Women Leadership Foundation, together with Malaysia’s Ministry of Investment, Trade, and Industry (MITI), will host the ASEAN Women Economic Summit 2025 — a catalytic space for meaningful conversations, powerful collaborations, and bold economic transformation.

Guided by the theme “Empowering Women, Energizing ASEAN: Pioneering Economic Integration for a Resilient Tomorrow,” AWES 2025 is about rewriting the future.
A future where equity becomes strategy, inclusivity drives innovation, and resilience starts with women.

Inspired by Malaysia’s MADANI vision and ASEAN’s 2025 commitments, this summit calls upon leaders, entrepreneurs, policymakers, and creatives from across Southeast Asia to co-create the future — one where women are at the heart of economic power.

This isn’t just a summit. It’s a movement to build bridges — literally.

Pledge for Contribution

AWES 2025 Official Partners

  • Main Sponsor

  • Empowerment Partner

  • Strategic Partner

  • Strategic Partner

  • Sustainable Energy Partner

  • Learning Partner

  • Artisanal Partner

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About The Conference

The ASEAN Women Economic Summit 2025 (AWES 2025), hosted by the Women Leadership Foundation in collaboration with the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI), is an upcoming flagship summit under Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship that places women at the heart of regional progress. Taking place on 24–25 May 2025 at the Shangri-La Kuala Lumpur, the summit carries the theme “Empowering Women, Energizing ASEAN: Pioneering Economic Integration for a Resilient Tomorrow.” AWES 2025 is more than just an event — it is a bold movement to reshape leadership, accelerate economic inclusion, and catalyze sustainable growth across ASEAN. With dynamic panels, leadership labs, high-impact networking, and cross-sector representation, AWES 2025 will bring together over 700 women leaders, policymakers, entrepreneurs, and changemakers to co-create the next chapter of ASEAN’s inclusive future.

The Experience

What happens when 300+ leaders gather to shape the future of ASEAN?

AWES 2025 isn’t your typical summit — it’s an immersive, transformative one and a half day journey in the heart of Kuala Lumpur, designed to inspire action and accelerate inclusive growth. Here’s what awaits:

  • Keynote Conversations

    Visionary women leaders, ministers, innovators, and regional trailblazers.

  • Regional Power Panels

    Trade, sustainability, innovation, and leadership through the ASEAN lens.

  • Leadership Mentoring and Business Matching

    Curated circles for high-impact dialogue and personal growth.

  • Cultural Immersion & Soft Diplomacy Sessions

    Exchanging values, stories, and regional visions.

  • Gala Night

    Celebrating sisterhood and solidarity.

  • Leadership Lab

    From strategy to soul, bridge inspiration with real-world execution

Programme Itinerary

Day 1, 24 May 2025, 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM, Saturday | Leadership Summit

10:00 AM - 11:00 AM: Registration & Networking

11:00 AM - 11.15 AM: Emcee Welcomes & Brief Introduction of AWES 2025

11:15 AM - 11.30 AM: Welcome Address by Datuk (Dr.) Hafsah Hashim – AWES 2025 Committee Chairman, Founder & Chairman, Women Leadership Foundation

11.30 AM - 11.45 AM: Opening Speech by YB Senator Datuk Seri Utama Tengku Zafrul bin Tengku Abdul Aziz – Minister of Investment, Trade And Industry of Malaysia

11.45 AM - 12.00 PM: Launch Gimmick by YB Senator Datuk Seri Utama Tengku Zafrul bin Tengku Abdul Aziz – Minister of Investment, Trade And Industry of Malaysia

12:00 PM - 12:15 PM: Grand Opening Performance by the All Women Orchestra, led by Ms. Sharnaz Saberi, Prodigy Music

12.15 PM - 2:30: PM Luncheon PowerTalk: From Tariffs to Transformation: How ASEAN Can Lead Inclusive EconomicGrowth—Centering Women in Trade, Policy, and Enterprise

2:30 PM - 3:15 PM: Leadership Masterclass: "The Champion's Mindset". Resilience as Strategy: Lessons from the World's Greatest Female Athlete

3:15 PM - 4:00 PM: Breaking Barriers, Building Bridges: Inclusive Leadership for ASEAN's Economic Resilience

4:00 PM - 6:00 PM: Up-close & Personal Sessions (Breakout Rooms with Industry 10 Mentors) Breaking Barriers: A Personal Dialogue with Visionaries

Day 2, 25 May 2025, 9:00 am - 10:00 pm, Sunday | ASEAN Leadership Experience

8:55 AM - 9:05 AM: Summary & Recap of Day 1 & Video Presentation by Emylia Liyana Anwar, AWES 2025 Program Director & CEO, Women Leadership Foundation

9:10 AM - 10:30 AM: Innovation for Economic & Social Goods Panel Session. Women Transforming Industries: Leadership, Innovation, and Advocacy in a Digital World

11:00 AM - 12:15 AM: Fireside Chat: Leading ASEAN’s Sustainable and Digital Frontier

12:30 PM - 2:00 PM: Luncheon PowerTalk Shared Prosperity: The New Imperative for ASEAN’s Economic Growth

2:30 PM - 3:45 PM: Global Power Hour. Women Pioneering Change Across Continents 

3:45 PM - 5:00 PM: Sustainability & Grassroot Movements Panel Session. Leadership for Impact: Transforming Business, Sustainability, and Advocacy (Green Leadership)

5:00 PM - 7:30 PM: Break

7:30 PM - 10:00 PM: AWES 2025 Gala Dinner: Women at the Heart of ASEAN’s Sustainable Future

Download AWES 2025 Program Brochure

Meet the Visionaries

At AWES 2025, we are bringing together trailblazers from across ASEAN — from boardrooms to grassroots — to reimagine a more inclusive, resilient, and empowered future for our region. Who’s joining us? You can expect an exceptional gathering of: Ministers & Policymakers, Industry Titans, CEOs & Founders, Cultural Icons & Advocates, Mentors, Thinkers & Changemakers.

These voices will spark transformative dialogue — not just sharing insights, but igniting action. More full Speaker Lineup to Be Revealed Soon! Stay tuned for our full reveal featuring names, stories, and the reasons they’ve chosen to be part of this historic summit.Because progress begins with presence. And every voice matters.

  • YAB Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Haji Abdul Rahman Zohari

    Premier of Sarawak

  • YAB Dato' Sri Haji Fadillah bin Haji Yusof

    Deputy Prime Minister

  • YB Senator Datuk Seri Utama Tengku Zafrul bin Tengku Abdul Aziz

    Minister of Investment, Trade And Industry of Malaysia (MITI)

  • YB Dato Hajjah Hanifah Hajar Taib

    Deputy Minister of Economic Malaysia

  • Dato Seri Maimunah Mohd Sharif

    Mayor of Kuala Lumpur

  • Datuk (Dr.) Hafsah Hashim

    Founder & Chairman, Women Leadership Foundation

  • Dato' Hazimah Zainuddin

    Founder & Vice Chairman, Women Leadership Foundation

  • Datuk Zunaidah Idris

    Founder & Vice Chairman, Women Leadership Foundation

  • Emylia Anwar

    CEO, Women Leadership Foundation

  • Khairiyah Adnan

    Board of Trustee, Women Leadership Foundation

  • Ng Wei Wei

    CEO, UOB Malaysia Berhad

  • MX Kuok

    Managing Director, Kuok Brothers Sdn Bhd

  • Nurhisham Hussein

    Economic Advisor, Prime Minister's Office

  • Tan Sri Shahril Ridza Ridzuan

    Axiata Group Berhad, Chairman

  • Senator (R) Datuk (Dr) Ras Adiba Radzi

    Former Member of Dewan Negara

  • Datuk Nik Amlizan Mohamed

    Kumpulan Wang Persaraan (Diperbadankan) [KWAP]

  • Datuk (Dr.) Nicol Ann David

    Former World Squash Champion and founder of the Nicol David Organisation

  • Durraini Baharuddin

    Senior Vice President & Group Chief Investment Officer, MNRB Holdings Bhd

  • Chandran Nair

    Founder & CEO, Global Institute For Tomorrow (GIFT)

  • Syaheedah Jes Izman

    COO & Founder of Pantas Software Sdn bhd

  • Aliza Ali

    Founder, Chatime

  • Mylene Abiva

    President /CEO of FELTA Multi-Media Inc

  • Nur Azre Abdul Aziz

    Director of Strategic Partnership, TikTok Shop

Why Join?

AWES 2025 is designed not just to inform — but to transform.

  • Growth — Learn from the region’s top minds. Expand your knowledge and elevate your voice.
  • Connection — Forge meaningful cross-border bonds and collaborations.
  • Impact — Leave with clarity, collaborators, and a roadmap to grow your influence.

“You won’t just attend a summit. You’ll activate your next level.”

Rizman Ruzaini x AWES 2025

Exclusively for AWES 2025, celebrated Malaysian fashion house Rizman Ruzaini presents a limited-edition capsule collection that embodies both luxury and purpose. Each meticulously crafted piece represents the summit's vision of empowering women and energizing ASEAN's economic future.

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A Legacy That Crosses Borders. Bridging Lives: From Conversation to Concrete Change A Lasting Impact of AWES 2025.

AWES 2025 isn’t just a summit. It’s a starting point.

As leaders gather in Kuala Lumpur to shape the future of ASEAN, we are committing to a legacy that lives on — one that turns dialogue into dignity, and momentum into movement. Introducing Bridging Lives — the official social impact initiative of AWES 2025. In remote parts of Malaysia, there are children who cross rivers on makeshift rafts just to get to school. Mothers — many of whom are the first entrepreneurs in their families — forgo growth to ensure their children’s safety. Economic potential is often cut short by something as basic as the lack of physical infrastructure.

We believe dignity should never be defined by a zip code. As part of Bridging Lives, we will fund and construct a pedestrian bridge in a rural Malaysian village to safely connect children to education, families to healthcare, and communities to opportunity. This is more than a build — it is a symbol of what regional solidarity looks like in action. As Malaysia holds the ASEAN Chairmanship in 2025 and prepares to hand it over to the Philippines in 2026, this initiative is a tangible reminder that progress doesn’t pause at borders — it bridges them. And we intend to present this project’s story — and progress — at the ASEAN Chairmanship closing events in October 2025.

Your Role: Leave a Legacy That Walks the Talk! When you contribute to Bridging Lives, you: Help children access school safely. Enable women to pursue economic independence. Build infrastructure that strengthens rural communities. Support a region-wide statement of commitment to shared development.

This is not just an initiative. It’s an invitation — to shape what ASEAN leadership looks like from the ground up.

Your Role: A Legacy Beyond Borders

Your contribution can:

  • Provide safe access to education
  • Empower mothers to grow their livelihoods
  • Elevate entire communities through safe infrastructure
  • Drive sustainable, cross-border development
  • Build continuity from Malaysia’s leadership to the Philippines'

This is not support. It’s solidarity.
This is not a donation. It’s a decision to lead.
This is not sponsorship. It’s legacy in action.

You’re Invited to Build the Future

But your presence — and your participation — can go far beyond the room.

Join us by confirming your attendance and contributing to our shared legacy.

Note: To uphold the quality, safety, and sustainability of this initiative, up to 30% of all contributions will support the administration and project management efforts behind Bridging Lives. Your pledge not only builds bridges — it empowers the work that makes them possible.

Pledge for Contribution

Shangri-La Kuala Lumpur

Enjoy exclusive room rates for AWES 2025 delegates at the iconic Shangri-La Kuala Lumpur — the official venue and hospitality partner for the summit.

"Special Code" > choose "Group" > key in Group Block code WLF230525

Book directly via Shangri-La Kuala Lumpur’s website below.

Note: Room availability is limited. We encourage all delegates to secure their bookings early to enjoy preferential rates and seamless access to the event venue. Please kindly note that the special rate valid date is from 23rd to 26th May, and it is only for the Executive Room
Book Your Stay

In collaboration with

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FAQ

1. What is AWES 2025?

The ASEAN Women Economic Summit 2025 (AWES 2025) is the flagship summit of the Women Leadership Foundation (WLF), hosted in collaboration with the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI). Set for 24–25 May 2025 at Shangri-La Kuala Lumpur, this exclusive event is an official side program under Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship. AWES 2025 convenes over 700 influential leaders from business, government, and civil society across ASEAN to drive inclusive economic growth and advance women’s leadership.

2. Who is AWES 2025 for?

AWES 2025 is curated for C-suite executives, policymakers, founders, investors, creatives, and changemakers passionate about advancing women’s leadership and inclusive economic transformation across ASEAN. Participation is strictly by invitation; however, individuals aligned with the summit’s mission are welcome to submit their expression of interest. All submissions are subject to review and approval by the organizing committee.

3. What is the summit’s theme?

The 2025 summit theme is:

“Empowering Women, Energizing ASEAN: Pioneering Economic Integration for a Resilient Tomorrow.”

The agenda focuses on transformative leadership, cross-border collaboration, sustainability, innovation, and accelerating economic inclusion.

4.How can I attend?

AWES 2025 is an invitation-only summit. If you have not received an invitation but are interested in participating, you may submit your interest through the official application form. Applications will be reviewed based on relevance, impact, and alignment with the summit’s objectives.

5. What’s included in a delegate pass?

  • Access to the full 2-day summit program, including keynote sessions and power panels
  • Entry to exclusive breakout labs, leadership mentoring, and networking sessions
  • Invitation to the Luncheon PowerTalks and Gala Dinner
  • Access to the exhibition spaces and delegate-only engagements
  • A complimentary AWES 2025 summit pack (subject to availability)





6. Are meals provided?

Yes. All registered delegates will enjoy curated meals and refreshments throughout the summit, including access to Luncheon PowerTalks and the Gala Dinner: Women at the Heart of ASEAN’s Sustainable Future.

7. Attendance Policy

As AWES 2025 is a by-invitation-only summit, all registrations are non-transferable and there are no refunds applicable. If you are unable to attend, we kindly request that you notify us at least 7 days prior to the event date. This allows us to extend the opportunity to individuals on the waitlist and ensure full participation.

We highly encourage all confirmed delegates to honor their commitment by being present for the entire duration of the summit. Please note that failure to attend or early departure may impact consideration for future invitations, as we strive to curate an engaged and fully committed community of leaders.

8. What is “Bridging Lives”?

Bridging Lives is AWES 2025’s legacy social impact initiative — a project that funds the construction of a bridge in a remote Malaysian community to ensure school children and rural entrepreneurs have safe access to opportunities. Updates on the project will be shared during the summit and beyond.

9. Who are the summit speakers?

Over 30 speakers and moderators from across ASEAN will take the stage, including ministers, founders, corporate leaders, and regional changemakers. Due to the dynamic nature of international scheduling, the full lineup is being finalized and will be updated on our official website.

10. Is there a dress code?

Delegates are encouraged to dress in smart business or traditional ASEAN formalwear. For Gala Dinner attendees, evening wear or national attire is recommended.

11. Will there be merchandise or summit souvenirs?

Yes. AWES 2025 features a limited-edition capsule collection designed by Rizman Ruzaini, available exclusively to registered delegates for pre-order or collection at the summit from 10 May 2025 onwards

12. How do I book accommodation?

Our official hotel is Shangri-La Kuala Lumpur. Delegates can enjoy exclusive discounted room rates by booking directly using the code WLF230525. Limited availability — early bookings are encouraged.

KEY ADDITION - Important Note

While expressions of interest are welcomed, submission does not guarantee participation. All applications will undergo a vetting process to ensure alignment with AWES 2025’s objectives of empowering women’s leadership and fostering inclusive economic growth in ASEAN.