The 13th KACPE International Public Policy Symposium
Advancing National Development in ASEAN Transition Economics through Korea-ASEAN Strategic Partnership
Venue
Conrad Manila, Seaside Boulevard corner Coral Way, within the Mall of Asia (MOA) Complex in Pasay City, Metro Manila, Philippines.
Date & Time
17-18 September 2026 ♦ 8:00 – 5:00PM
Participants
Presenters: policy makers, academics, and researchers from Southeast Asia, Korea, and Australia
Participants: 200 government employees, research institutes, and academics
Objective:
Strengthen state capacity for policy development and implementation in Southeast Asian transition economies (Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar)
Sharing development experiences with other Southeast Asian countries and Korea
Institutionalizing the Korea-ASEAN Community of Policy Exchange through multi-sectoral networks among government, academia, and research institutions.
Key Policy Areas:
Strengthening Diplomatic and Security Capacity
Advancing Public Sector Reform and State Capacity
Elevating Socio-Political and Cultural Policy Capabilities
The Korea Research Initiatives (KRI@UNSW) and Korea-ASEAN Community of Policy Exchange (KACPE)
The Korea Research Initiatives, the University of New South Wales (KRI@UNSW) was established in 2000 with a mission to foster Korean Studies in Southeast Asia. Supported by its Southeast Asian partners, KRI currently comprises approximately 22 university researchers and 80 researchers from Southeast Asia, representing diverse sectors including governments, public institutions, and academia. It maintains partnerships with around 120 entities across various domains in Southeast Asia.
KRI launched the Comparative Public Policy Research Forum (CPPR) in 2010, which evolved into the Korea-ASEAN Community of Policy Exchange (KACPE) in 2019. KACPE is an independent, non-governmental platform facilitating two-track 1.5 dialogues among senior policymakers, researchers, and academics from Korea and ASEAN. It promotes policy exchange in areas such as governance reform, economic and industrial development, socio-cultural affairs, and regional security. Over the past 15 years, KACPE has engaged over 6,390 participants from 1,460 institutions, establishing itself as a leading platform for Korea-ASEAN cooperation.
PROGRAM
Main Symposium
8:00 AM
Registration
8:30 AM
Advancing National Development in ASEAN Transition Economies through Korea-ASEAN Strategic Partnership
Group Photo 1 – All invited = Internationals + Philippines Seniors
Group Photo 2 – All participants
TV – Interviews – Outside at Backdrop
9:40 AM
Session 1. Ensuring Regional Security and Economic Development: Key Challenges and Opportunities in an Era of Geoeconomic Realignment
11:00 AM
BREAK
11:20 AM
Session 2. Strengthening State Capacity for Public Sector Reform: Global Experiences and Lessons Learned
12:40 PM
LUNCH
1:40 PM
Session 3. Driving Higher Education Reform for National Development: Global Experiences and Lessons Learned
3:30 PM
BREAK
3:45 PM
Session 4. Plenary Session – Advancing National Development in ASEAN Transition Economies through Korea-ASEAN Strategic Partnership
4:20 PM
Closing Remarks
Korea Research Initiatives (KRI) at University of New South Wales