ASEAN for the Peoples Conference:
Harnessing Southeast Asia's Greatest Resource

The Sultan Hotel & Residence, Jakarta, Indonesia

4-5 October 2025

ASEAN for the Peoples Conference (AFPC)

AFPC advances ASEAN's vision of a people-centered community by fostering genuine connections through a civil society-led, bottom-up platform. The conference positions itself as a credible and premier forum for people-to-people dialogue in Southeast Asia.

About Conference Agenda

Date and Venue

4-5 October 2025

The Sultan Hotel & Residence, Jakarta, Indonesia

Organized and Initiated by

A People-Centered ASEAN Starts with Its People

Harnessing Southeast Asia's Greatest Resource

4-5 October 2025

Jakarta, Indonesia

Output of the Conference

AFPC will culminate in the drafting of a statement that reflects the aspirations, concerns, and policy recommendations of the peoples of ASEAN. This collective declaration will be facilitated by the Foreign Policy Community of Indonesia (FPCI), which serves as the conference secretariat. Participating CSOs will be invited to contribute their perspectives and insights actively throughout the consultation process.

Event Overview

AFPC will take place over two days, Saturday and Sunday, 4-5 October 2025. The event is open to the public and free of charge, ensuring inclusive access and broad participation from all sectors of society.

Main Features of AFPC

Exhibition

Each Southeast Asian country is expected to send 10–20 CSOs actively engaged in regional activities or projects. These CSOs will be provided with individual booths to showcase their work, impact, and advocacy to the broader public. In total, the exhibition aims to host approximately 150–200 participating organizations.

Panel Discussion

AFPC will feature 24 thematic panel discussions, conducted either in parallel or in dedicated rooms. These sessions will be open to the public and will span a wide range of sectors and topics aligned with ASEAN's three pillars. The conference is expected to be inaugurated by the President of the Republic of Indonesia, the ASEAN Secretary-General, and several ASEAN leaders

ASEAN Leaders-CSOs Heart-to-Heart Dialogue

This special session is designed to facilitate direct and meaningful engagement between ASEAN leaders and representatives of civil society organizations. It provides a platform for open communication on pressing issues, shared aspirations, and policy recommendations. This dialogue ensures that the voices of the people are integrated into the regional policymaking process, further strengthening ASEAN’s commitment to people-centered governance.

Movie Screening

AFPC provides a platform for Southeast Asian creatives to share their narratives and advocacy through film. CSOs, production houses, and independent filmmakers are invited to submit documentary or short films (up to 70 minutes in duration) for screening. This initiative highlights innovative and creative approaches to community building in ASEAN, using cinema as a vehicle for storytelling and awareness.

Sideline and Complementary Events

Sideline Events: Roundtable Discussions

As a meeting point of civil societies, AFPC goes beyond panel discussions and seminars to explore diverse formats for tackling Southeast Asia’s complex and multidimensional issues. It adopts roundtable discussions—both open and closed-door—to bring together stakeholders, including government representatives, in an informal and relaxed setting where participants engage as individuals rather than institutional representatives. This approach fosters deeper communication and mutual understanding on key issues set by AFPC.

ASEAN Morning Walk

To encourage camaraderie and community spirit, AFPC will host a morning walk on Sunday, the second day of the conference. Set along Jakarta’s iconic Sudirman Street during Car-Free Day, this light-hearted activity invites participants to connect in an informal and inclusive setting.