Dr. Kao Kim Hourn joined Malaysia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Higher Education at the Festival of Ideas and ASEAN Higher Education Leadership Forum 2025, emphasising the role of universities in driving regional progress and unity.
Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, on 4 November 2025, joined H.E. Dato’ Seri Dr. Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia, and H.E. Dato’ Seri DiRaja Dr. Zambry Abdul Kadir, Minister of Higher Education of Malaysia, at the Festival of Ideas (FOI) and ASEAN Higher Education Leadership Forum (ASHELF) 2025 in Putrajaya, Malaysia. The event brought together thought leaders, experts, policymakers, academics, industry professionals, and members of the public to exchange insights and innovative solutions to contemporary national and global challenges.
Image by The ASEAN Secretariat
During the Opening Ceremony, Dr. Kao delivered a keynote address highlighting the transformative power of higher education in fostering ASEAN unity and progress. He described universities as “beacons of unity”, capable of harnessing the region’s diversity to advance shared aspirations. His remarks underscored the importance of collaboration among ASEAN Member States in shaping an inclusive and resilient education ecosystem.
Dr. Kao referenced the ASEAN Leaders’ Declaration on Higher Education: Towards an Inclusive, Sustainable and Prosperous ASEAN, adopted at the 47th ASEAN Summit, as a pivotal framework for regional cooperation. The declaration serves as a roadmap to promote innovation, leadership, and academic exchange—key enablers of the ASEAN Community Vision 2045 and the region’s sustainable and inclusive development agenda.
Following the ceremony, the Secretary-General joined the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Higher Education in touring the exhibition booths at the Festival of Ideas 2025. The showcase featured initiatives and projects from universities, research institutions, and industries that demonstrated the role of innovation and creativity in addressing regional and global challenges.
The Festival of Ideas Putrajaya 2025 served as a vital platform for fostering collaboration between academia, government, and the private sector, reaffirming ASEAN’s commitment to building a knowledge-based, future-ready community.
Source: Image by The ASEAN Secretariat
