AEDA Promoting Adelaide to the World at the Australia-ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) Business Forum
More than 750 business leaders, diplomats, and major investors will descend on Adelaide next month for the Australia-ASEAN Business Forum, strengthening ties and accelerating growth between Australia and Southeast Asia.
The two-day forum, themed Advancing ASEAN’s Sustainability Agenda, will feature around 90 speakers from 15 countries.
It focuses on collaboration, investment and innovation across sectors critical to sustainable growth.
It will also include representatives from the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), the world’s largest free trade agreement, which includes China, Japan, Korea and New Zealand.
Attending the event gives Australian businesses, especially those in the renewable energy, digital innovation, AI, human capital, agriculture, and trade sectors, a chance to engage with high-level decision-makers and explore avenues for collaboration.
Australia-ASEAN Business Forum’s Chairman Francis Wong OAM founded the event in 2014, hosting the inaugural event in Adelaide. 2025 marks the first time it has been held in the city since.
AEDA Showcases Adelaide’s Strong City Growth
The forum runs alongside an exhibition where attendees can have high-impact discussions with delegates, providing opportunities to support economic development.
AEDA is hosting a booth at the event to display Adelaide as a globally connected place to live, work, invest, study and play.
It will be hosted in conjunction with AEDA Strategic Partner, Study Adelaide.
"This incredible event will help Australian businesses deepen economic ties with Southeast Asia, and we are thrilled that the Forum will be held in Adelaide giving us the opportunity to showcase and promote all that Adelaide has to offer to investors, visitors and international students,” AEDA Business and Investment Executive Manager Tiffany Katchmar says.
“Its commitment to innovation, sustainable growth and international collaboration makes Adelaide an ideal destination to let global connections flourish.
“Having the Australia-ASEAN Business Forum in Adelaide is also a great opportunity for local businesses to tap into new markets and develop international partnerships.”
Global Connections: Why Southeast Asia is Important
The Southeast Asian region is set to become the world’s fourth-largest economy by 2040, and increased cooperation between Australia and the ASEAN region is opening new opportunities for local exporters.
Federal government data shows Australia and Southeast Asia have well-linked trade interests, and their combined trade value passed $183.7 billion in 2023.
The two-way stock of total investment was more than $282 billion in 2023.
Data also shows Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, and Vietnam were among Australia’s top 15 trading partners for 2023.
Australia-ASEAN Business Forum Chairman Francis Wong OAM says: “ASEAN remains committed to an open, rules-based trading system, and we welcome Australia’s continued partnership in driving shared prosperity under RCEP.”
The event is on 26-27 August 2025, at the Adelaide Convention Centre. A Gala Dinner will be held on 27 August 2025 at an additional cost.
To book a booth at the event, please contact [email protected]
To buy tickets to the event, visit Australia ASEAN Business Forum
All pictures supplied by Australia-Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Business Forum.