Southeast Asia Trade and Development Forum 2025
The Changing Realities of International Trade

Introduction:

The International Institute for Trade and Development (Public Organization) or ITD, a government public entity under the supervision of the Ministry of Commerce, Thailand, in cooperation with the Ministry of Commerce, Thailand and the UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), will be organizing the ITD’s Annual Conference “Southeast Asia Trade and Development Forum 2025” (Hybrid Seminar) on Thursday, September 11, 2025, from 08.00 – 16.00 hrs. (UTC+7, Bangkok local time) at the Napalai Grand Ballroom, Dusit Thani Hotel, Bangkok.

The main objective of this annual conference is to bring together Southeast Asia’s leading professionals, policymakers, and high-level executives from both the private and public sectors to share insights, exchange ideas, and explore collaborative strategies to navigate the changing realities of international trade.

In today’s unpredictable world marked by trade tensions, disruptive technologies, climate risks, and shifting policies, the role of Southeast Asia in global value chains faces both challenges and opportunities. This year’s forum will explore how ASEAN can remain resilient, adaptive, and future-ready amid these profound shifts in international trade.

Key Themes:

• Thailand’s Trade Strategy in a Volatile World: Strengthening ASEAN role through FTAs and resilient supply chains
• Global Trade Realities: Geopolitical risks, protectionism, and the shifting rules of multilateralism
• FDI and Sustainable Investment Trends: Opportunities in digital and green industries amid global slowdown
• Business Strategies for Stability: Leveraging AI and innovation to adapt in uncertain economic times
• Financing the Future: New financial models to support SMEs, regional value chains, and inclusive growth
• Turning Uncertainty into Opportunity: How MNCs use agility, strategic partnerships, and digital transformation to compete
• Empowering SMEs & Startups: Little Giants building resilience, scaling across borders, and driving the digital economy

Schedule
Southeast Asia Trade and Development Forum 2025
“The Changing Realities of International Trade”
September 11, 2025 (GMT+7) at 08.00-16.15 hrs.
Dusit Thani Hotel, Bangkok, Thailand

08.00 – 09.00 hrs.    Registration

09.00 – 09.10 hrs.    Welcome Remarks

                               Mr. Suphakit Chareonkul

                               Executive Director, International Institute for Trade and Development (ITD)

09.10 – 09.20 hrs.    Opening Remarks

                               Prof. Dr. Somkit Lertpaithoon

                               Chairman of the Board, International Institute for Trade and Development (ITD)

09.20 – 09.30 hrs.   Photo Session

09.30 – 09.50 hrs.   The Global Realities: Trade, Tensions, and Transformation

                              Prof. Dr. Jeffrey D. Sachs

                              Columbia University

09.50 – 10.20 hrs.   Thailand’s Path Forward

                              Dr. Supavud Saicheua

                              Chairman, Office of the National Economic and Social Development Council

                              Consultant, Kiatnakin Phatra Asset Management Company Limited

10.20 – 10.40 hrs.   Morning Break

10.40 – 11.10 hrs.   UN Trade and Development’s World Investment Report 2025

                              Dr. Bruno Casella

                              Senior Economist, Investment and Enterprise Division,

                              UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD)

                              Dr. Kirida Bhaopichitr

                              Director for TDRI Economic Intelligence Service (TDRI EIS)

11.10 – 12.10 hrs.   Panel 1: The Trade Playbook: Strategies for Stability

                              Mr. Jostein Asknes

                              Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder, Seven Peaks Software

                              Mr. Luca Bernardinetti

                              Chairman & Chief Executive Officer, Mahanakorn Partners Group

                              Mr. Smith Banomyong

                              Executive Officer, Gulf Energy Development PCL.

                              Mr. Matthew Moodey

                              Managing Director and Head of Trade Finance & Lending for Asia Pacific,

                              Deutsche Bank

                              Moderator: Mr. Varin Sachdev

12.10 – 13.00 hrs.   Lunch

13.15 – 13.45 hrs.   Financing the Future: Trade, Development, and Inclusive 

                               Opportunities

                              Ms. Melinda Good

                              World Bank Division Director for Thailand and Myanmar

13.45 – 14.45 hrs.   Panel 2: Reimagining Trade: Turning Uncertainty into Opportunity

                              Mr. Jackie Chang

                              President and Chief Operating Officer, Delta Electronics PCL.

                              Mr. Marcelo Souza

                              Chairman of the International Trade Committee (ITC),

                              The Joint Foreign Chambers of Commerce in Thailand, JFCCT

                              Mr. Sakchai Patiparnpreechavud

                              Chief Executive Officer and President, SCG Chemicals

                              Moderator: Mr. Franc Han Shih

14.45 – 15.00 hrs.   Afternoon Break

15.00 – 16.00 hrs.   Panel 3: Little Giants: From Vision to Victory

                              Mr. Doni Teguh Pribadi (Indonesia)

                              CEO & Founder, PT Bigdonte Kreatif Media

                              Ms. Monsinee Nakapanant (Thailand)

                              Co-President, Ascend Money Group

                              Mr. Toni Trinh (Vietnam)

                              Co-founder and CEO, AseanHub

                              Ms. Thamonwan Virodchaiyan (Thailand)

                              Co-Founder & Chief Operating Officer (COO), Moreloop

                              Dr. Soe Hein (Myanmar)

                              Founder & President IMU University EdTech

                              Moderator: Mr. Chonlawit J. Wongsriwor

16.00 – 16.15 hrs.   Wrap Up

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