摘要：On August 27, as part of the Kuala Lumpur Roundtable on Asia-Pacific Regional Cooperation, the Boao Forum for Asia convened a sess

Special Report II of Kuala Lumpur Roundtable on Asia-Pacific Regional Cooperation of the Boao Forum for Asia

On August 27, as part of the Kuala Lumpur Roundtable on Asia-Pacific Regional Cooperation, the Boao Forum for Asia convened a session on Go Green and Digital- New Drive for the Growth of Asia Pacific. The session was chaired by Dr. Mohd Faiz Abdullah, Chairman of Institute of Strategic & International Studies (ISIS). Zhang Jun, Secretary General of the Boao Forum for Asia; Jenny Shipley, Former Prime Minister of New Zealand; Carlos Gutierrez, Former Secretary of Commerce of US; Marty Natalegawa, Former Foreign Minister of Indonesia; Yuba Raj Khatiwada, Economic and Development Adviser to the Prime Minister of Nepal; Chen Wanxin, Deputy Secretary-General of the People's Government of Hainan Province; Yasuto Watanabe, Director of ASEAN+3 Macroeconomic Research Office; Juan Carlos Mathews, Former Minister of Foreign Trade and Tourism of Peru; Beata Stoczynska, Executive Director of Asia-Europe Foundation and Chi Fulin, President of China Institute for Reform and Development attended and shared their insights.

Participants engaged in a lively discussion on green transition and digitalization. They noted that Asia-Pacific countries now stand at a critical crossroad. On one hand, rapid advances in artificial intelligence, big data and smart infrastructure are injecting powerful momentum into regional growth. On the other, mounting risks such as climate change are heightening regional vulnerabilities. Speakers stressed that Asia-Pacific countries must deepen dialogue and cooperation, share development opportunities and confront challenges together, thereby fostering a digitally driven, inclusive, and environmentally friendly growth model.

Panelists agreed that green transition and digitalization should be planned and advanced in coordination rather than in isolation. They noted that a successful green transition cannot proceed without the support of digital technologies while digitalization needs the guiding compass of green transition to stay on course. Marty Natalegawa described green transition and digitalization as twin engines of growth, stressing that when effectively combined, there would be a multiplier effect to accelerate sustainable economic growth. Carlos Gutierrez called for greater application of artificial intelligence and other digital tools in areas such as emissions reduction and renewable energy. Jenny Shipley underscored the importance of green finance in mobilizing resources. Yuba Raj Khatiwada emphasized the need for closer coordination of fiscal, monetary and industrial policies, as well as stronger communication between governments and the private sector, to forge a more powerful collective push.

Speakers stressed that Asia-Pacific countries should take the lead in driving green transition and digitalization, share best practices through institutionalized platforms and help strengthen global governance framework. They also warned that declining political will has hindered international cooperation and urged closer partnership of global communities to confront common challenges. Yuba Raj Khatiwada argued that governments need to improve their policies, shifting fiscal subsidies away from fossil fuels toward clean energy. He also called for wider use of green technologies by private companies in sectors such as energy and agriculture, coupled with the creation and implementation of effective rules to provide regulatory certainty and policy support for global green transition and digitalization. Chen Wanxin shared Hainan’s experience in advancing green transition and digitalization in Hainan Free Trade Port, stressing the importance of clear government strategies and deeper international cooperation to sustain progress.

Panelists also underlined the importance of inclusiveness and fairness in pursuing green transition and digitalization. They stressed that no one should be left behind, whether between countries or between urban and rural communities. They argued that artificial intelligence must be guided by principles of inclusiveness and sustainability, to prevent new digital divides. Speakers including Suraj and Beata Stoczynska called for greater investment in education, upskilling and infrastructure, so that benefits of digitalization and green transition can be shared equitably across Asia-Pacific, ensuring no country is marginalized. Zhang Jun urged Asian countries to step up capacity building, improve high-quality infrastructure and remove political barriers to technology transfer, thereby unlocking wider development opportunities. Beata Stoczynska added that these transitions must remain people-centered if they are to succeed.

Speakers noted that green transition and digitalization carry both opportunities and risks. They urged countries and communities to seize the moment by embracing new technologies in fields ranging from climate action, job creation to food security, while also working to contain the risks. Jenny Shipley emphasized the importance of harnessing resources of technology companies to help achieve sustainable development goals such as poverty reduction, and called for joint action built on cultural diversity, solidarity and inclusiveness. Carlos Gutierrez highlighted the need to expand the use of artificial intelligence in areas such as carbon capture, but also warned of new challenges, notably the heavy energy consumption of data centers. Beata Stoczynska pointed to vast opportunities for cooperation in green technology, smart agriculture, interoperable standards development and governance experience sharing. Marty Natalegawa cautioned against weaponization of digital technologies and warned that technological rivalry could deepen global divides.

Panelists spoke highly of Asia-Pacific cooperation frameworks, including ASEAN+3, pointing that these mechanisms should remain anchored in openness and inclusiveness. They argued that the region must tap its political, economic and technological potential, seize the opportunities of digital revolution, strengthen supply and value chains, thereby offering Asian solutions to global governance challenges. Yasuto Watanabe noted that ASEAN+3 framework has already become the world’s second-largest economic bloc, and is expected to be the largest by 2040. He added that digitalization and sustainable growth have become central to development strategies across the region, which is expected to emerge as a global hub for green technology by 2035. He also stressed the need for deeper cooperation on technology sharing and policy coordination. Juan Carlos Mathews likewise highlighted the importance of technology sharing across Asia-Pacific. Chi Fulin said China’s economic transformation in the coming decade is expected to open vast opportunities for Asia-Pacific and create fresh momentum in areas such as economic growth, openness and regional integration. He also emphasized that whether the region can seize these opportunities and advance together, will hinge on its commitment to keeping markets open.

来源：博鳌亚洲论坛