Leadership in a fractured world: Lessons from ASEAN for Global Governance

Global governance today is increasingly shaped by fragmentation – between major powers, across regions, and within societies. Political polarisation, identity-based conflict, weakened multilateralism, and strategic competition between East and West have placed renewed strain on leaders and institutions alike. Join us for a panel, convened by the Tun Razak Foundation (TRF) in partnership with the Blavatnik School of Government, to reflect on the legacy of Tun Abdul Razak Hussein, Malaysia’s second Prime Minister and a co-founder of ASEAN, while exploring how Southeast Asian leadership traditions offer valuable insights for today’s increasingly complex global environment. Marking the 50th anniversary of TRF, the session moves beyond commemoration to explore how leadership choices made in conditions of uncertainty, diversity, and geopolitical tension continue to resonate today. The discussion will consider how leaders can balance domestic stability with international diplomacy in a fractured world. Moderated by the Dean of the Blavatnik School of Government, Professor Ngaire Woods, the panel will feature: Tan Sri Nazir Razak, Chairman of the Tun Razak Foundation Sri Mulyani Indrawati, Former Minister of Finance of Indonesia Tengku Zafrul Aziz, Former Minister of Finance of Malaysia Julien Labonne, Professor in Economics and Public Policy, Blavatnik School of Government.. Blavatnik School of Government, University of Oxford http://www.bsg.ox.ac.uk/