The visit marked the fifth anniversary of the ASEAN–UK Dialogue Partnership, with both sides reaffirming commitments to deepen cooperation in economic resilience, the Indo-Pacific, and people-to-people exchanges
The Secretary-General of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Kao Kim Hourn, undertook a working visit to the United Kingdom from 6 to 11 February 2026, reaffirming sustained political, economic, and institutional engagement between ASEAN and the UK as both sides marked the fifth anniversary of their Dialogue Partnership. The visit underscored the strategic importance of ASEAN–UK cooperation amid evolving Indo-Pacific dynamics and ongoing efforts to promote regional stability, resilience, and sustainable growth.
ASEAN and the UK established their Dialogue Partnership in 2021, followed by the adoption of the ASEAN–UK Plan of Action (2022–2026), which guided cooperation across ASEAN’s political-security, economic, and socio-cultural pillars. Over the past five years, collaboration expanded in areas including trade, digital economy development, education, sustainability, and capacity-building. The 2026 visit provided an opportunity to review progress under the current Plan of Action and to discuss alignment with ASEAN’s priorities in shaping its successor framework.
Image by ASEAN
During the visit, Dr Kao held a series of high-level meetings with senior UK officials. He met the UK Foreign Secretary, Yvette Cooper, where both sides reviewed progress since the partnership’s establishment and reaffirmed their commitment to expanding cooperation that delivers mutual benefits to ASEAN, the UK, and the wider international community. Discussions highlighted the UK’s long-term engagement with Southeast Asia and its support for a stable, open, and rules-based Indo-Pacific, guided by respect for ASEAN Centrality and ASEAN-led mechanisms.
Engagements with the Minister for the Indo-Pacific, Seema Malhotra, focused on strengthening regional resilience through capability development and capacity-building, including cooperation under the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific. Economic cooperation featured prominently in discussions with the Minister of State at the Department for Business and Trade, Chris Bryant, covering support for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, supply chain resilience, and digital economy development. On 10 February 2026, the Secretary-General met Naz Shah, the UK’s Trade Envoy to ASEAN, reaffirming commitments to deepen economic engagement in areas of mutual interest, including regulatory excellence, digital transformation, financial services, green transition, and resilient supply chains.
Beyond government engagements, Dr Kao delivered keynote remarks at Asia House and at the 2026 Warwick Economics Summit at the University of Warwick, outlining ASEAN’s economic outlook, development priorities, and opportunities for collaboration with UK partners. He also participated in a UK–ASEAN Business Council event aimed at encouraging deeper business-to-business linkages between Southeast Asia and the UK. The visit further included engagements with academic, cultural, and multilateral institutions, discussions on sustainable urban development and resilient cities, and interactions with ASEAN–UK Women in STEM scholars, reflecting shared interests in education, innovation, and inclusive growth.
Officials and analysts observed that the working visit reflected a pragmatic approach to strengthening ASEAN–UK relations at a time of heightened global uncertainty. While discussions focused on expanding cooperation across emerging and strategic sectors, both sides emphasised continuity, alignment with ASEAN priorities, and adherence to established regional processes, suggesting a steady and forward-looking trajectory for the partnership beyond its first five years.
Source: ASEAN
