AdminDemonstrating Malaysia’s leadership in its capacity as ASEAN Chair, the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) Malaysia launched the inaugural ASEAN Connect 2025 in London. The historic Chartered Accountants’ Hall served as the venue for this first-of-its-kind forum, uniting ICAEW members from across ASEAN who are based in the United Kingdom with their UK counterparts. The event reinforced Malaysia’s commitment to advancing regional cooperation while aligning ASEAN with international economic and professional benchmarks.
Officiated by His Excellency Dato’ Zakri Jaafar, Malaysia’s High Commissioner to the UK, the forum brought together accounting professionals from Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Vietnam, and other ASEAN nationals based in Britain. It served as a strategic platform for cross-border professional engagement, setting the tone for more integrated collaboration as ASEAN deepens economic integration.
“ASEAN Connect 2025 is the realisation of a vision we’ve long held: to consolidate two worlds, ASEAN’s dynamic regional economies and ICAEW’s global professional heritage,” said Shenola Gonzales, Head of ICAEW Malaysia. “As Malaysia leads ASEAN this year, we are proud to showcase how the strength of our profession can drive regional collaboration and enhance economic resilience.”
Catalysts for integration
As ASEAN works toward becoming a more cohesive economic bloc, forums like ASEAN Connect 2025 recognise the foundational role of the accountancy profession in this journey. Chartered accountants enable consistency in financial reporting, governance, and accountability, which are vital for cross-border trade and investment. The event’s focus on workforce mobility and sustainable economic growth reflects a broader strategy to elevate the region’s professional capacity in tandem with its economic ambitions.
The discussions covered critical issues, including how ASEAN’s finance professionals can respond to global economic shifts while building an integrated talent pool that meets international standards. The participation of multiple countries and institutions highlighted a shared understanding that accountancy is central to economic credibility and investor confidence.
The evening’s ICAEW World Prizegiving Ceremony further underlined Malaysia’s strength in nurturing high-quality talent. Outstanding Malaysian accountancy students were recognised, illustrating how the Associate Chartered Accountant (ACA) qualification supports both regional mobility and professional excellence.
Driving policy dialogue
In line with its enhanced regional engagement under Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship, ICAEW has been active in shaping policy discourse that impacts ASEAN’s economic future. Earlier this year, ICAEW Chief Executive Alan Vallance addressed the ASEAN Capital Markets Forum — a historic first for the organisation. Additionally, ICAEW led the region’s first workshop on Scope 3 emissions reporting, a significant step in strengthening ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) transparency.
“Sustainability and financial resilience go hand in hand,” Vallance said. “ICAEW is committed to providing businesses with the expertise to transition successfully to sustainable finance mechanisms that align with clear ESG reporting standards. Investors and financial markets demand greater transparency, and ASEAN must work towards a unified approach that supports both regulatory alignment and business competitiveness.”
These efforts, which include regulatory roundtables and capacity-building workshops, illustrate ICAEW’s growing role in shaping ASEAN’s economic architecture. The organisation’s work ensures that the region can move toward harmonised standards while attracting investment and driving sustainable growth.
A unified vision
The success of ASEAN Connect 2025 marked a milestone in strengthening ASEAN’s shared economic identity. With Malaysia playing a pivotal role through ICAEW Malaysia, the event showcased how professional collaboration can support regional integration and long-term resilience. By connecting professionals from diverse backgrounds in a global hub like London, the forum reaffirmed ASEAN’s readiness to pursue inclusive and sustainable growth on the international stage.
Through initiatives that connect regional talent, influence policy, and support regulatory harmonisation, ICAEW is positioning ASEAN not only as a competitive economic bloc but also as a beacon of professional excellence. As Malaysia continues to lead ASEAN in 2025, its partnership with global institutions like ICAEW sets the tone for deeper cooperation and shared progress across Southeast Asia.
CJMY
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