ASEAN has become a highly integrated and cohesive economic bloc connected with the global economy. Its combined GDP was about US $3.8 trillion in 2023, thanks to the unwavering commitments of all ASEAN members toward building the ASEAN Community since 2015. This community has fostered an enduring impact for over 600 million people resulting from deep and cohesive regional cooperation to ease the movement of goods, services, investment and capital across the ASEAN region. Amid the regional prosperous growth in the last decade, ASEAN must prepare itself for multifaceted challenges from the impacts of climate change, uncertain global economic prospects, geopolitical tensions, shifting trade flows, technological transformation and emerging issues such as artificial intelligence. 

Whether to promote growth or tackle new issues, the active participation of key players including MSMEs, businesses, innovators and creators is vital. Protecting their intellectual property and providing an enabling environment where new ideas can be cultivated and nourished will empower these stakeholders to be more competitive and innovative, driving new technologies and solutions in a sustainable manner. Accordingly, ASEAN Member States have embedded attainable actions on intellectual property rights into their regional economic development agenda, notably in the ASEAN Economic Community Strategic Plan 2026–2030 providing a regional framework to  accelerate IP asset creation, commercialization, and protection; improve the regional IP policy and institutional framework; promote IP cooperation and dialogue within the region and with dialogue partners; and foster greater public awareness of IPR. The ASEAN Working Group on Intellectual Property Cooperation (AWGIPC) plays a central coordinating role, engaging with stakeholders to ensure effective implementation of these action plans. To gain this momentum, it is important that authors, artists, entrepreneurs and innovators see intellectual property not merely as legal protection but as a strategic tool that unlocks business potential, inspires innovation, attracts foreign investment, boost intra-ASEAN trade and strengthen the region’s global competitiveness and resilience.