ASEAN CIRCULAR ECONOMY FORUM 2025

In collaboration with partners under the Team Europe Initiative (TEI)
Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC) and nearby venues
13-17 October 2025

14-15 Oct 2025 | Pre Events
16-17 Oct 2025 | Main Event

ACEF 2025

The ASEAN Circular Economy Forum (ACEF) 2025 will be hosted in Malaysia, aligning with the country’s ASEAN Chairmanship and its overarching theme: Inclusivity and Sustainability. ACEF 2025 will spotlight how circular economy solutions can drive inclusive development, reduce inequality, and foster innovation across the region.

Programme Structure

Pre events

Oct 13

SEA-MaP Project
Steering Committee

Oct 14

SEA-MaP Conference with AWGCME Focal Points

Oct 15

  • SEA-MaP Conference with AWGCME Focal Points
  • Circular Business Models
    EU CERC & TF side event
    16:00-17.30 @Botanica
  • Sitra Business Models &
    Circular Design
    16:00-17:30 @Botanica

MAIN event

Oct 16-17

  • Oct 16, 2025 ACEF 2025 Day 1
  • Oct 17, 2025 ACEF 2025 Day 2

ACEF 2025 – MAIN EVENT

DAY 1, THURSDAY
OCT 16, 2025

8:30

Coffee and registration

9:00 – 09:05

Opening ceremony

9:05 – 9:25

Opening speeches

  • ASEAN Secretariat (TBD)
  • European Union (TBD)
  • Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Thailand (TBD)
  • Finnish Undersecretary of International Trade

9:25 – 09:30

Group Photo

9:30 – 10:10

Circular Economy State of Play in ASEAN

10:10 – 10:40

Break & refreshments

10:40 – 12:00

Resource Use in ASEAN and the Role of the Circular
Economy in Achieving ASEAN Vision 2045

  • Global Perspective: International Momentum and Future Outlook
  • ASEAN resource flow Presentation Overview
  • Policy Reflections from Malaysia
  • ASEAN Institutional Perspective

12:00 – 13:00

Lunch break & Networking

13:00 -13:30

Announcements of New Circular Economy Initiatives
in ASEAN

  • ASEAN Coordinating Committee on MSMEs (ACCMSME) Malaysia: Centre of Excellence for Green Transition
  • Regional Southeast Asia Programme on Marine Plastics (SEA-MaP): Regional Platform for Innovation and Investments
  • Cradle Fund Malaysia: Startup ASEAN
  • Expert Group on ASEAN Talent Mobility (Thailand): ASEAN Talent Mobility Pool

13:30 – 15:00

Green Skills, Innovative Solutions and Investments – Unlocking the Potential of Circular Startups in ASEAN

15:00 – 15:30

Break & refreshments

15:30 – 16:30

Closing the Loop: Catalysing ASEAN Circular Transition through Investment – in partnership with Kumpulan Wang Persaraan (KWAP) Malaysia

16:30 – 17:30

Closing session

Reflections and Pathways Forward: Advancing ASEAN’s Circular Economy through Innovation, Industry and Policy Alignment

DAY 2, FRIDAY
OCT 17, 2025

9:00 – 09:10

Opening Remarks by NRES (TBD)

9:00 – 10:15

ACEF Annual Policy Dialogue – Acceleration of Circular Economy in ASEAN Part 1

10:15 – 10:45

Break & refreshments

10:45 – 12:00

ACEF Annual Policy Dialogue – Acceleration of Circular Economy in ASEAN Part 2

Closing session

12:00 – 14:00

Lunch & Networking & Bilateral Meetings

14:00 – 16:10

Strategising Session

Upon Invitation Only