Dr. Balakrishnan emphasized the importance of strengthening economic ties, likening it to rafting economies together to better navigate global challenges. The envisioned partnerships will extend beyond ASEAN's existing dialogue partners to include regions such as Africa, South America, the Pacific Islands, and Canada, forming what he described as a "trans-Pacific strategy."

Despite global trade disruptions, the ASEAN region is experiencing significant growth, driven by advancements in artificial intelligence, semiconductors, and technology. Dr. Balakrishnan highlighted the substantial growth potential in the region over the next two decades, citing strong economic performance in Vietnam, Singapore, and Indonesia.

During discussions at the Milken Institute Asia Summit, Dr. Balakrishnan also addressed the complexities of the US-China rivalry, stating Singapore's commitment to maintaining trust with both powers and carefully managing these relationships without choosing sides. He also raised concerns about the risks associated with increasingly autonomous AI agents, warning of potential loss of control and the possibility of their misuse for developing weapons of mass destruction.