Adelaide will once again step onto the international stage as it prepares to host the 2025 Australia-ASEAN Business Forum in August, drawing senior diplomatic envoys, leading investors, and commercial heavyweights from across Southeast Asia and beyond. Scheduled for 26 and 27 August at the Adelaide Convention Centre, the forum will mark a homecoming of sorts—the first time since its inaugural edition in 2014 that the event returns to South Australian soil.
More than 750 high-level delegates are expected to take part in what is shaping up to be a well-connected gathering of regional minds, ideas, and capital. Attendees will include ambassadors, senior officials, and representatives of major enterprises operating across the region, bringing with them both experience and a forward-looking focus on economic partnership.
The 2025 forum is set to include participants not just from ASEAN nations but also from countries covered under the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), the largest free trade agreement in the world. Signatories of RCEP span a broad economic geography that includes China, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, and Australia, along with the ASEAN nations themselves. The inclusion of RCEP countries adds further significance to the forum, enabling a wider set of discussions on cross-border trade and cooperation.
Among the confirmed keynote speakers are Hon. Dr Kao Kim Hourn, Secretary-General of ASEAN, and Australia’s own Ambassador to ASEAN, HE Tiffany McDonald. The line-up also includes Tan Sri Nazir Razak, Chairman of the ASEAN Business Advisory Council (Malaysia), as well as influential Australian business and policy figures such as Andrew McKellar from the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Dianne Tipping of the Export Council of Australia, and Kevin Gallagher from Santos Inc. Simon Birmingham, Chair of South Australia and Head of Asia Pacific Engagement for ANZ, will also return in a public capacity, having previously served as Australia’s Finance Minister.
Speakers and guests will delve into matters tied closely to Australia-ASEAN cooperation, with a particular lens on renewable energy, digital transformation, artificial intelligence, food security, agriculture, skills development, and the broader green economy. These themes reflect not just the priorities of Australia’s trade partners in the Indo-Pacific, but also South Australia’s own domestic ambitions, particularly in areas of sustainable growth.
The selection of Adelaide as the host city is more than just a nostalgic nod to the event’s beginnings. It represents the city’s—and by extension, the state’s—growing focus on Southeast Asia as a strategic economic partner. According to Minister Joe Szakacs, who will speak at the event, the region presents an abundance of long-term opportunities in both trade and investment. Szakacs noted that his recent efforts to lead trade missions in the region reflect a commitment to building those ties from both ends of the table.
“Southeast Asia is a priority region for South Australia,” he said. “It has been a focus of mine to lead trade missions to countries in the region, and I look forward to welcoming partners to Adelaide.”
His comments point to a wider sense of urgency and optimism. As the Southeast Asian bloc collectively heads toward becoming the world’s fourth-largest economy by 2040, the time to firm up alliances and increase collaboration is now. With Australia’s domestic producers and exporters looking increasingly outward, especially in sectors like food, education, and energy, this year’s forum could offer a springboard for next-stage engagement.
There is also a recognition that South Australia itself is emerging as a player on the sustainability front. Szakacs remarked that the state’s economic profile has shifted significantly, with strong growth and leadership on climate-related innovation. That’s helping Adelaide attract global events and attention—not simply for show, but because stakeholders believe the city can contribute meaningful outcomes.
Forum chairman Francis Wong has encouraged businesses and policymakers to focus on the potential within the RCEP framework. As the world’s largest trading bloc, RCEP offers a chance to simplify trade, reinforce supply chains, and align markets. Wong argues that these mechanisms can especially benefit micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), which make up a large share of business activity across Asia-Pacific economies.
“The opportunities under RCEP are real,” he said. “Businesses should be looking to unlock new synergies, particularly in sustainable development and digital transformation. These are areas where we can link ambition with action.”
He also highlighted the need for practical outcomes. “We talk about integration, but it’s equally about translating those frameworks into actual benefits—things that reach local communities and businesses.”
For Wong, this year’s Adelaide forum is not just about panels and pledges. It’s about shifting the needle on cooperation in ways that resonate with industry players and their broader communities.
There’s a shared emphasis, too, on ensuring the forum maintains relevance beyond speeches and networking. The agenda will cover sectors where both challenge and opportunity lie in equal measure. Renewable energy, digital infrastructure, and AI adoption are all areas in which Southeast Asian nations are rapidly expanding their capabilities—and where Australian firms are well positioned to contribute.
Agriculture and food security remain key touchpoints as well. Australia’s clean and safe food production systems are viewed favourably across Asia, particularly as climate volatility puts additional strain on regional supply chains. With increased awareness of these vulnerabilities, conversations around innovation in food systems and climate-smart farming are expected to attract strong attention during the two-day event.
The agenda will also spotlight human capital—skills development, labour mobility, and education partnerships all forming part of the wider discussion. As economies shift toward services, technology, and clean energy, the demand for skilled workers is rising across borders. Institutions and businesses alike are beginning to look beyond the domestic pipeline to fulfil these needs.
By hosting the forum, Adelaide positions itself as a connector between regions, and as a potential launch pad for enterprises looking to scale across Southeast Asia. The city’s business infrastructure, research strengths, and proximity to emerging Asian markets give it an edge, particularly for industries focused on export-ready innovation.
Moreover, the forum’s tone and direction mirror recent federal efforts to deepen ties with the Indo-Pacific. Australia’s foreign and trade policy has pivoted in recent years to ensure stronger partnerships in a rapidly shifting economic landscape. Hosting events of this size and calibre helps reinforce those connections while providing a venue for new agreements, pilot projects, and long-term partnerships to take shape.
Delegates are expected to make use of exhibitor spaces and curated events that facilitate B2B and B2G engagement. While the formal agenda spans two days, the flow-on effects for Adelaide’s tourism, hospitality, and conference sectors are likely to extend well beyond.
South Australia’s international outlook appears to be maturing, with a distinct confidence in its economic and diplomatic offering. The Australia-ASEAN Business Forum 2025 is expected to help crystallise that shift—bringing regional stakeholders together not just to discuss cooperation, but to act on it.
For more details about the event, visit auaseanbusinessforum.com.
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🌏 Adelaide hosts 2025 Australia-ASEAN Business Forum (26-27 Aug) with 750+ delegates. 🤝 Focus on renewables, AI, food security & RCEP trade opportunities. 🇦🇺 SA Premier highlights state's growing Southeast Asia ties. #TheIndianSun @AuASEANbusinesshttps://t.co/Dqd3NLe257
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