ASEAN Secretary-General Dr. Kao Kim Hourn on Wednesday called for deeper economic cooperation between ASEAN and Russia, as he delivered opening remarks at the ASEAN-Russia Business Forum 2026 in Kazan, Russia.
The business forum, held on the sidelines of the ASEAN-Russia Commemorative Summit, brought together business leaders and government officials from both regions to discuss expanding trade and investment ties.
According to a statement from the ASEAN Secretariat, Dr. Kao highlighted areas where ASEAN and Russian economies could complement each other, including energy security, food security, supply chain connectivity, manufacturing, and digital transformation. He encouraged stronger business-to-business engagement and investment partnerships to support growth across both regions.
The summit marks the 35th anniversary of ASEAN-Russia relations. Leaders from several ASEAN member states are attending the commemorative summit, which runs from June 16 to 19 in Kazan, the capital of the Republic of Tatarstan. Singapore's attendance at the summit drew particular attention, as it marks the city-state's first high-level visit to Russia since it imposed sanctions following the invasion of Ukraine.
Thailand's Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, who is leading the Thai delegation to the summit, is scheduled to attend the business forum as part of his official programme, The Nation Thailand reported. The Thai government said the prime minister's agenda includes bilateral talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, with discussions expected to cover trade, investment, energy, and technology.
Russia has sought to strengthen ties with Southeast Asia as part of its broader pivot eastward following Western sanctions. For ASEAN member states, Russia remains a significant partner in energy and food security, and several countries have maintained diplomatic and economic engagement with Moscow despite the geopolitical tensions arising from the war in Ukraine.
The business forum is structured as a platform to connect Russian and ASEAN private sectors, with a particular focus on sectors where both regions see mutual benefit. The ASEAN Secretary-General's remarks underscored the potential for expanded economic engagement as both regions seek to diversify supply chains and address vulnerabilities in food and energy security — areas where Russia is a major global supplier.
The ASEAN-Russia Commemorative Summit is scheduled to hold its plenary session on June 18, where leaders are expected to endorse four outcome documents covering the future direction of relations. A working lunch involving ASEAN and Russian leaders, together with representatives from the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation and the Eurasian Economic Union, is planned to discuss ways to strengthen economic connectivity between ASEAN and Eurasia.
The business forum represents the economic track of the broader summit, focusing on practical cooperation between the private sectors rather than the diplomatic and security dimensions that dominate the main leaders' meetings. The outcome of these business discussions could influence the pace and direction of ASEAN-Russia trade, which has grown steadily over the past decade but remains modest compared to ASEAN's trade with China, the United States, or the European Union.
Sources: ASEAN Secretariat, The Nation Thailand
