Dr Kao Kim Hourn underscored ASEAN’s commitment to innovation, entrepreneurship, and digital connectivity at the Startup ASEAN Summit 2025 in Kuala Lumpur.
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 5 November 2025 — Secretary-General of ASEAN Dr Kao Kim Hourn attended the Startup ASEAN Summit 2025, held in Kuala Lumpur alongside Malaysia’s Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, H.E. Chang Lih Kang. In his Special Keynote Remarks on “The Vision of a Borderless Economy,” Dr Kao highlighted the need for ASEAN member states to embrace digital transformation and cross-border innovation to create a more connected, competitive, and resilient regional economy.
The Summit marked a defining moment for ASEAN’s innovation landscape, showcasing the region’s progress in building a dynamic startup ecosystem. A key highlight was Malaysia’s ASEAN Startup Ignite initiative, which declared 2025 as the ASEAN Startup Year and launched the first regional online startup platform. The platform connects more than 4,000 startups and 1,000 investors, helping to build an ecosystem now valued at over USD 131 billion.
Image by: The ASEAN Secreteriat
With over 3,000 participants from across ASEAN and beyond, the event brought together entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers, and technology leaders to explore opportunities for collaboration in innovation and sustainable growth. The discussions also focused on strengthening startup networks, promoting digital trade, and ensuring inclusive access to emerging technologies.
Dr Kao toured several booths and exhibitions during the Summit, engaging with innovators and entrepreneurs driving ASEAN’s transformation. He commended Malaysia’s leadership in advancing the startup agenda and reaffirmed ASEAN’s collective goal of achieving a borderless, digitally empowered economy that benefits all member states.
The Startup ASEAN Summit 2025 reaffirmed the region’s shared vision of harnessing innovation, collaboration, and connectivity to fuel long-term economic transformation and strengthen ASEAN’s position as a leading global innovation hub.
Source: The ASEAN Secreteriat
