Asia Economic Dialogue (AED) 2025
The Asia Economic Dialogue (AED) is a premier international geoeconomic conference organized by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Government of India, in collaboration with the Pune International Centre (PIC). As one of the three prominent Track 1.5 dialogues supported by the MEA, the AED has emerged as a crucial platform for fostering meaningful discussions on pressing global and regional economic challenges.
The 6th edition of AED, scheduled to take place in Pune from February 20 to February 22, 2025, will revolve around the theme “Economic Resilience and Resurgence in an Era of Fragmentation.” The conference will explore pivotal geoeconomic topics, including Artificial Intelligence (AI), Cyber Security, African Transformation, Blue Economy, the International Monetary System, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), and Climate Change.
Over the years, AED has been instrumental in addressing critical economic issues, with its previous editions featuring distinguished participants such as ministers, diplomats, and thought leaders from Asia, Europe, and the Americas. Notable speakers include Piyush Goyal, Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, Sanjiv Bajaj, Romaine de Laubier, Rajnish Kumar, Dammu Ravi, Radha Shyam Ratho and Rama Bijapurkar. Their contributions will enrich the dialogue and enhance its global significance.
AED 2025 will bring together a diverse group of academicians, policymakers, and industry experts from countries such as Australia, Egypt, Indonesia, Japan, Nepal, the Netherlands, Singapore, South Africa, and Sri Lanka. Ministerial participation will further amplify the discourse, facilitating an exchange of transformative ideas and strategies.
This year’s dialogue promises to address the complexities of economic fragmentation and identify actionable pathways for resilience and resurgence. By fostering nuanced discussions on challenges and opportunities, AED 2025 aims to empower nations, industries, and individuals to navigate the evolving geoeconomic landscape.
Through its continued engagement with stakeholders, the Asia Economic Dialogue remains committed to strengthening regional and global economic cooperation, positioning Asia as a pivotal force in shaping the future of the global economy.
Asia Economic Dialogue 2025 begins in Pune, focuses on resilience and global economic challenges
— ANI Digital (@ani_digital) February 20, 2025
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Speakers
Dr. Raghunath A. MashelkarFRS, President, Pune International Centre
Dr. Raghunath Mashelkar is India’s foremost leader in research and innovation, having held prestigious roles such as Director General of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), President of the Indian National Science Academy, and Chairman of the National Innovation Foundation. Under his leadership, CSIR underwent a remarkable transformation in the 1990s, and it is recognised as one of the top ten achievements in Indian science and technology in the 20th century. Dr. Mashelkar holds 51 honorary doctorates, the most by any engineering scientist in India. He is one of only three Indian engineering scientists honored with the prestigious Fellow of the Royal Society (FRS). His pioneering efforts, including his battle to protect India’s traditional knowledge from wrongful patents, have earned him global recognition. Dr. Mashelkar has served on numerous government committees and boards, including the boards of Reliance, Tata Motors, and Hindustan Unilever. He has received India’s highest civilian awards, including the Padma Vibhushan.
Amb. Gautam BambawaleConvenor, AED 2025; Former Ambassador of India to Bhutan and China and High Commissioner to Pakistan
Amb. Gautam Bambawale was the former Ambassador of India to Bhutan and China and High Commissioner to Pakistan. He was a member of the Indian Foreign Service from 1984 to 2018. Amb. Bambawale was stationed in Washington DC in 2004-07 during the Indo-US nuclear deal, which transformed ties between the two countries. He was India’s first Consul General in Guangzhou (China) during 2007-09. He was Director of the Indian Cultural Centre, Berlin (1994-98). He worked in the Prime Minister’s Office 2002-04. At the Ministry of External Affairs, he was Joint Secretary for East Asia from 2009 to 2014. Amb. Bambawale dealt with China for 15 years in his 34-year diplomatic career. He is fluent in Mandarin Chinese and German. Amb. Bambawale is currently a Distinguished Professor at the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences at Symbiosis International University, Pune, and teaches Diplomacy and International Governance at the Symbiosis School of International Studies. He is also a Consultant for some private-sector Indian companies. He has an M.Phil. in Economics from the Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics, Pune.
Shri Piyush GoyalMinister of Commerce and Industry, Government of India
Shri Piyush Goyal is the Minister of Commerce and Industry, Government of India. Previously, he served as the Leader of the House in the Rajya Sabha and helmed the Ministry of Consumer Affairs and Food and Public Distribution, Textiles, Railways, Finance, Corporate Affairs, Coal, Power, New and Renewable Energy, and Mines. He played a key role in modernising the Indian Railways, promoting renewable energy, and spearheading India’s trade policies. He led the signing of a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the UAE, the fastest-ever negotiated FTA globally, and the India-Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA), India’s first agreement with a developed country after a decade. He oversaw the launch of Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Schemes to boost ‘Make In India’, and led the implementation of the world’s largest food security programme, the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY). As Minister of Railways, he helped India achieve the best-ever safety record. As Power, Coal, and New and Renewable Energy Minister, he successfully implemented the world’s largest LED bulb distribution programme (UJALA). A graduate from Harvard University, Shri Goyal is also a Chartered Accountant (second rank holder) and a second-rank holder in Law from Mumbai University. He was also a well-known investment banker. He was awarded the 4th Annual Carnot Prize in 2018 for path-breaking transformations in India’s energy sector.
Schedule
- 16:00 hrs (IST) (45 mins) Registration and Tea/Coffee i
- 16:45 – 16:52 hrs (IST) (7 mins) Opening Remarks i
- 16:52 - 17:12 hrs (IST) (20 mins) Inaugural Address i
- 17:12 – 18:00 hrs (IST) (48 mins) Inaugural Session i
- 18:00 – 19:00 hrs (IST) (60 mins) Fireside Chat i
- 10:00 – 10:30 hrs (IST) (30 mins) Fireside Chat i
- 10:30 – 11:45 hrs (IST) (75 mins) Re-imagining Leadership in the Era of AI and Automation i
- 11:45 - 12:00 hrs (IST) (15 mins) Tea/Coffee Break i
- 12:00 – 13:15 hrs (IST) (75 mins) African Transformation: From Aid to Investment i
- 13:15 - 13:45 hrs (IST) (30 mins) Fireside Chat i
- 13:45 – 14:45 hrs (IST) (60 mins) Lunch i
- 14:45 – 16:00 hrs (IST) (75 mins) Survival Before Sustainability: An Agenda for this Decade i
- 16:00 – 17:15 hrs (IST) (75 mins) Collaboration on Cyber Resilience: An Economic Imperative i
- 17:15 - 17:30 hrs (IST) (15 mins) Tea/Coffee Break i
- 17:30 – 18:45 hrs (IST) (75 mins) International Monetary System - Challenges & Reforms i
- 10:00 – 11:00 hrs (IST) (60 mins) Unlocking Growth Potential by Empowering MSMEs i
- 11:00 – 12:15 hrs (IST) (75 mins) Blue Economy in India’s Extended Neighbourhood i
- 12:30 – 13:00 hrs (IST) (30 mins) Valedictory Session i
About Pune
Pune is a city in the Maharashtra state of western India. Called the ‘Queen of the Deccan’, Pune is the cultural capital of Maharashtra. The city gained importance in the 17th century during the Maratha dynasty, when it served as the official capital. It was home to the Peshwas, who were the prime ministers of the Maratha Empire. After 1817, it was the seasonal capital of the British Bombay Presidency. Today, Pune is the headquarters of the Southern Command of the Indian army, with the National Defence Academy located nearby.
Referred to as the ‘Oxford and Cambridge of India’, the city is also a major educational and cultural centre, with more than 30 constituent and affiliated colleges, housing thousands of national and international students. Pune is one of the leading IT services centres, with the biggest IT park of India located at Hinjewadi.
Pune is surrounded by the spectacular Sahyadri range, which has many important forts of historical significance, such as Raigad, Pratapgad, and Torna.
The city is well linked to other parts of the country. The Pune Airport is approximately 15km from the city centre and is well connected with all the states of India and several international destinations.
Partners
Code of Conduct
Asia Economic Dialogue Charter of Participation
The Asia Economic Dialogue is an inclusive and diverse forum with participants from across a range of backgrounds. We place a high premium on ensuring open and safe environment throughout the conference for every attendee, regardless of nationality, ethnicity, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation or disability. We request all the stakeholders associated with Asia Economic Dialogue including speakers, delegates, organizers and hotel staff to follow the Charter of Participation and understand the repercussions of any violation.
Violations of the Charter of Participation
We expect all the stakeholders to respect our anti-harassment policy and abide by our expected conduct guidelines during the conference. This also includes conference related social media engagement and social events. You are expected to comply immediately if asked by conference organizers to cease prohibited behavior. In case of persistence of inappropriate behavior, the organizers may take action they deem appropriate and/ or report to appropriate authorities
Reporting Inappropriate Conduct
Please notify the organizers immediately if you are subjected to harassment or any other inappropriate behavior. If you witness or have a grievance and prefer to remain anonymous, please fill out and submit a handwritten/typed complaint and submit it to a member of the organizing team. In case of emergency, please first contact Pune Police immediately by dialing 100 (Emergency Toll-Free number) and proceed to notify conference organizers of the emergency.
Attendance and Dress Code
We restrict access to the Asia Economic Dialogue to participants with valid invitation cards. All participants must attend the conference in formal attire (business formal / traditional clothing).
Conference Participation
Please be respectful, mindful and understanding to the fellow participants. We aim to make the environment open and inclusive. Profanities or slurs are strictly prohibited.
Drugs and Alcohol
We abide by and enforce all local, state, and central laws and regulations surrounding possession and/or use of illegal substances. In addition, please limit tobacco use to permitted areas and consume alcohol in moderation.
Anti-harassment Policy
We do not tolerate any form of harassment at the Asia Economic Dialogue. Our zero-tolerance policy prohibits all forms of harassment including, but not limited to: Offensive or derogatory comments related to gender, sexual orientation, nationality, ethnicity, religion, or disability; Offensive or derogatory comments towards other participants, opinions, or personal expressions; Sexual comments or unwanted physical contact; The display of inappropriate images or memorabilia; Violence, intimidation, threats; or stalking; Inappropriate or unwanted social contact with other participants; and Excessive or unwanted photography or videography of conference participants and organizers.