From Left : SSP Asia Rayyan Sudhakar and Guna Mahalingam
KUALA LUMPUR, May 6, 2026 — The ASEAN Leadership and Partnership Forum (ALPF) was successfully held at The Ritz-Carlton Kuala Lumpur, reaffirming its position as one of the region’s premier platforms for advancing economic cooperation, sustainable development, and regional business collaboration. Since its inception, the forum has been hosted across major ASEAN cities, including Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta, Singapore, Bangkok, Hanoi, Manila, Phnom Penh, Vientiane, and Naypyidaw.
The 2026 edition, themed “Navigating ASEAN in a New Geopolitical Era: Keeping Centrality, Securing Prosperity, Empowering People,” brought together government leaders, policymakers, parliamentarians, business executives, academics, and think tank representatives to discuss ASEAN’s strategic priorities amid an evolving global landscape.
Through keynote addresses, strategic roundtables, and leadership discussions, participants explored regional resilience in trade and supply chains, digital economy integration, energy connectivity, sustainable finance, and the leadership required to strengthen long-term prosperity and people-centered growth across ASEAN.
During the forum, Guna Mahalingam, Founder & CEO of Strategic Swiss Partners AG, was presented with the ASEAN Outstanding Entrepreneur Excellence Business Leader Award in recognition of his visionary leadership, entrepreneurial achievements, and contributions toward fostering business connectivity, innovation, and investment opportunities across the ASEAN region.
Beyond his leadership at SSP, Guna Mahalingam also serves as an Executive Board Member of SwissCham Asia and as Chairman of the Malaysia Committee. Through these roles, he actively promotes stronger economic, trade, and investment ties between Switzerland, Malaysia, and the wider ASEAN region, supporting initiatives that encourage cross-border collaboration, innovation, and sustainable growth.
The award reflects SSP’s growing role in facilitating strategic partnerships between ASEAN and international financial and investment communities. It also highlights Guna Mahalingam’s ongoing efforts to strengthen business connectivity between Asia and Europe through both his corporate leadership and his engagement within the Swiss-ASEAN business ecosystem.
Held in conjunction with the 48th ASEAN Summit, the ASEAN Leadership and Partnership Forum served as a dynamic platform for dialogue, cooperation, and shared vision-building, reinforcing ASEAN’s position as a resilient, forward-looking, and globally relevant economic community.
A Shared Vision with SwissCham Asia
The recognition aligns closely with the mission of SwissCham Asia to strengthen commercial and investment relationships between Switzerland and Asia. As Executive Board Member and Chairman of the Malaysia Committee, Guna Mahalingam continues to advocate for deeper engagement between Swiss and ASEAN businesses, helping create opportunities for investment, entrepreneurship, wealth management, technology transfer, and sustainable development.
The award not only recognizes individual achievement but also reflects the growing importance of collaboration between European and ASEAN business communities in navigating a rapidly changing geopolitical and economic landscape.
Forum Organizers
The ASEAN Leadership and Partnership Forum was organized by:
- KSI Strategic Institute for Asia Pacific
- ASEAN Economic Club
- ASEAN Business Advisory Council
- ASEAN Business Advisory Council Philippines
- ASEAN Business Club
- World Digital Chamber
Media Contact:
Strategic Swiss Partners AG
info@strategicswisspartners.com
