In collaboration with the Tun Razak Foundation (TRF), the Blavatnik School convened a high-level forum exploring global governance lessons from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). 

Moderated by Professor Ngaire Woods, Dean of the Blavatnik School of Government, the forum brought together distinguished speakers including Tan Sri Nazir Razak, TRF Chairman, Sri Mulyani Indrawati, former Minister of Finance of Indonesia, Tengku Datuk Seri Utama Zafrul Aziz, former Minister of Finance of Malaysia, and Julien Labonne, Professor of Economics and Public Policy at the Blavatnik School. 

Tan Sri Nazir Razak reflected on the legacy of Tun Abdul Razak, Malaysia’s second Prime Minister and one of the five founding leaders of ASEAN, who recognised the importance of regional cooperation in promoting stability and peace across Southeast Asia. 

Sri Mulyani Indrawati, who is also a World Leaders Fellow at the Blavatnik School, observed that coalition building across governments, institutions and citizens is vital for effective leadership. Julien Labonne noted that this ability to bring together countries with diverse histories, interests and perspectives makes ASEAN unique. 

Tengku Datuk Seri Utama Zafrul Aziz noted that ASEAN member states continue to collaborate against external challenges, emphasising that trust, coordination, and collective engagement remain vital despite competing domestic and economic pressures. 

The forum took place in the School’s Tun Razak Lecture Theatre, made possible thanks to a donation from the Tun Razak Foundation, along with Nazir Razak and the Noah Foundation. 

The event is available for viewing on the Blavatnik School of Government’s YouTube channel.