Strengthening Leadership and Cooperation through the First ASEAN–G7 Next Leaders Forum

A professionally trained prosecutor and currently the Director of the ASEAN Legal Affairs and Cooperation Department at the Ministry of Justice of Cambodia, Ung Radsorin views the ASEAN– G7 Next Leaders Forum as more than a professional gathering. Having attended the Forum, he sees it as a vital starting point for long-term dialogue and cooperation between ASEAN and G7 countries. Ung explains “The Forum ultimately aims to strengthen cooperation by serving as a bridge between different professions and legal systems.”

One of the Forum’s greatest strengths lies in its focus on young leaders. Ung believes that today’s emerging professionals will be tomorrow’s decision-makers, helping to narrow development gaps, particularly in the legal and judicial sectors. “Young leaders are the hope. They will one day lead efforts to close the gap and catch up,” he explained. The discussions broadened his perspective and reinforced the importance of sustained investment in capacity building.

Beyond the dialogue sessions, the Forum’s programme design impressed him strongly, particularly the study visit to Japan. Learning from the modernised prison system firsthand at one of Tokyo’s oldest prisons was striking and impactful. “It was unbelievable to see how Japan reached that level,” He learned that it was the result of long-term and sustained efforts. The visit offered concrete lessons that he could apply within his own professional context.

Reflecting on ASEAN’s broader role, Ung emphasised that ASEAN’s geopolitical and economic significance naturally attracts engagement from partners around the world. He believes that platforms such as the ASEAN–G7 Next Leaders Forum are essential in translating the engagement into constructive and meaningful cooperation.

Looking ahead, he hopes the Forum continues to nurture a new generation of young leaders who will be equipped to advance legal and judicial development across regions by strengthening networks, expanding perspectives, and fostering long-term cooperation.

Currently serving as a Probation Officer at the Ministry of Justice of Japan, Seika Hosoi gained timely insights from the ASEAN–G7 Next Leaders Forum that proved valuable in her subsequent professional role.

She was working with the International Affairs Division of the Ministry of Justice of Japan, where she was involved in planning international conferences, including the First ASEAN–G7 Next Leaders Forum. In this role, she benefited from the Forum from dual perspectives: as an organiser and as a participant and beneficiary.

Less than a year after attending the Forum, Seika transferred into her current role, supporting individuals released from correctional facilities as they reintegrate into society. The connections and insights gained through the Forum proved immediately relevant to her new assignment. “Last year, I did not know anything about probation,” she recalled. “But I met a probation officer from Thailand who shared her experience with me.” That exchange directly helped Seika to understand probation work and continues to support her role, as she remains in contact with her Thai counterpart to exchange perspectives and experiences. The professional relationship has since evolved into discussions to explore the possibilities to send Thai officials to Japan to learn more about its probation system.

Gender related discussions at the Forum also resonated strongly with her, particularly given the high level of female participation. Approximately 60 percent of participants were women, which contributed to rich and inclusive dialogue. This stands in sharp contrast to Japan, where almost 80 percent of judges are male. Learning that the gender balance differs significantly in countries like France – where around 60 to 70 percent of judges are female – has broadened her perspective on institutional possibilities. As one of the relatively few young female probation officers in Japan, these discussions gave her a sense of optimism for gradual and sustained institutional change in Japan.

The value of the Forum extended beyond knowledge sharing. Hearing the experiences and perspectives of other participants provided her with new ideas which she hopes to apply to both her current and future roles. “I hope to contribute to renewing and strengthening Japan’s probation system,” she shared. “The Forum gives me ideas and perspectives on how probation can continue to evolve. I also know that I can reach out to participants from the Forum to exchange views and gain new insights, which is something I am very excited about.”

Serving as a Deputy Public Prosecutor in the Commercial and Cyber Unit of the Attorney General’s Chambers of Malaysia, Siti Aina Rodhiah binti Shikh Md. Saud found the ASEAN–G7 Next Leaders Forum to be a holistic learning experience, a blend of strategy and practice.

She highlighted the value of the programme’s design, which integrated theoretical lectures with institutional visits. “It allowed me to gain both conceptual frameworks and concrete examples from a different legal system context.”

Discussions on digitalisation and the use of artificial intelligence were another key takeaway. She gained critical insights into how technology can enhance efficiency, improve decision- making, and promote transparency in public sector operations.

She also valued the emphasis placed on ethical and responsible innovation. “They reinforced the need to balance innovation with accountability, fairness, and inclusivity,” she said. These discussions encouraged her to instill and ingrant this ethical and responsible innovation value in her workplace so that the public interest is protected.

Beyond the technical discussions, she underscored the long-term value of the Forum’s alumni network as a structured platform for sustaining engagement and collaboration beyond the project’s duration. Reflecting on the Forum’s overall impact, she described it as transformative. “The Forum has had a profound impact on me both personally and professionally,” she said. “Professionally, it enhanced my understanding of leadership, public administration, and justice systems, while providing practical insights into innovative practices, digitalisation, and AI integration.” On a personal level, she added, “Engaging with peers from ASEAN, Timor Leste, and G7 countries broadened my perspective and deepened my appreciation for inclusive and ethical leadership.”

Empowered by these experiences, she continues to apply new ideas to her work, strengthen professional networks, and contribute to institutional development and regional cooperation among the ASEAN Member States and partners.