Interviews

Minister Phoeurng discusses Cambodia’s key policies and programmes to develop and support its creative industries, the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, and the role that the creative industries play in the country’s post-pandemic recovery plan. She also shares her views on how ASEAN can position itself collectively as an important driver in advancing the creative economy.

Minister Budi G. Sadikin explains Indonesia’s strategy for securing an adequate and steady supply of COVID-19 vaccines, the progress of its national vaccination rollout, and approaches to addressing vaccine hesitancy. As current chair of the ASEAN Health Ministers Meeting, he also outlines key regional initiatives designed to facilitate Member States’ recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and enhance preparedness and resilience against future public health crises.

Dr. Non A serves in the Smart City Promotion Department of Thailand’s Digital Economy Promotion Agency, where he advocates the concept and practice of smart cities. He specialises in the use of human-centred design to solve pressing open-ended problems. Having lived and worked overseas, he is constantly inspired by design, qualitative research, and behavioural economics. Originally trained as an architect, he holds a doctorate in anthropology from Harvard University.

Dr. Non A talks to The ASEAN about how digital connectivity transforms and builds sustainable cities, and what Southeast Asian countries can do to maximise its benefits, close the digital divide, and overcome other barriers.

Hugh Lim, Executive Director of Centre for Liveable Cities, weighs in on what it takes to build pandemic-proof and resilient cities based on the practices that worked and deficiencies that emerged during the COVID-19 pandemic.

He discusses the benefits of transforming Southeast Asian cities into smart cities, particularly the role that smart solutions play in accelerating post-pandemic recovery and ensuring urban resilience to future crises.

ASEAN Secretary-General Dato Lim Jock Hoi talks to The ASEAN on the qualities and benefits of smart cities, as well as the ongoing initiatives to support the region’s 26 major cities in developing, updating, and implementing their smart city action plans under the ASEAN Smart Cities Network initiative.

Dr. Mari Elka Pangestu addresses issues of power, representation, and equality. Before joining the World Bank as a managing director in 2020, she held various leadership positions in the Indonesian government, including as Minister of Trade (2004-2011) and as Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy (2011-2014).