Asia
The Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom (FNF) promotes democracy, human rights, economic freedom, and curbing climate change. In Asia, we have offices in Bangkok, Jakarta, Manila, New Delhi, Seoul, and Taipei. We also work in Malaysia. The FNF regional team works with the Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats, the Working Group for an ASEAN Human Rights Mechanism, Collective of Applied Law and Legal Realism (CALR), a pro bono initiative by AmerBON Advocates, and the ASEAN Prosperity Initiative, which is part of the Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs. Should you have questions or suggestions about our work, please contact us. You can also meet our team here.
News
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Thailand: Hope for change, longing for stability
Political turmoil, weak economic growth and a bloody border conflict are shaping the mood in Thailand ahead of the parliamentary elections on 8 February. The progressive People's Party is ahead in the polls but despite changes to the rules, it remains unclear whether it will actually be able to govern this time around.
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Building a Resilient and Inclusive Whole-of-Society Defense Policy: Recommendations from Taiwan
Facing threats from the People’s Republic of China (PRC), Taiwan is strengthening not only its national defense but also its civil defense—an approach broadly supported by civil society. However, it remains unclear whether the scope and depth of these efforts can systematically and comprehensively protect all segments of society. In response, the Awakening Foundation and FNF Taiwan Office convened more than 33 human rights and civil defense organizations in Taiwan to publish Building a Resilient and Inclusive Whole-of-Society Defense: Policy Recommendations for Integrating Gender and Diverse Human Rights Perspectives into Taiwan’s Social Resilience, with the aim of identifying gaps and proposing concrete policy recommendations.
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Myanmar’s Forgotten Democratic Revolution
Five years after Myanmar’s military seized power in a coup on Feb. 1, 2021, the country remains trapped in violence and political paralysis. What was once framed as a historic democratic uprising has largely faded from global attention, replaced by a quieter but more durable reality: the consolidation of a modern authoritarian state, sustained by authoritarian alliance, mostly by China, and western democracies’ indifference.
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Geopolitical dynamics favour India–EU trade deal
The EU and India have finalized their Free Trade Agreement. For India, the EU is a key partner in trade, technology, investment, and energy transition. The modest trade deal links value chains, increases connectivity and supports sustainable growth.
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How Does Taiwan's Civil Society Leverage Technology and Citizen Activism to Enhance the Transparency of Parliament?
In 2025, NGOs in Taiwan criticized the budget review process and took action. They developed a crowdsourcing social media bot and a data visualization website to monitor how legislators decided to cut or freeze budgets. Data journalist Zoe Lee from READr, who led the project, explains how Taiwan’s civic tech community advanced parliamentary transparency.
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Future-Proofing ASEAN`s Investment Regulation
A new paper “Future-Proofing Investment Regulation Across ASEAN” - commissioned by the Asia Office of the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom - looks at Singapore, Vietnam, Indonesia and the Philippines from 2019 to 2025. The study traces how these four countries are trying to manage rising geopolitical and security pressures without abandoning openness or unsettling investor confidence.
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Divided We Fall: ASEAN’s Response to Trump’s Illiberal Trade Agenda
When President Trump’s "Liberation Day" trade policy hit Southeast Asia with tariffs reaching between 32 and 49%, the region’s economic foundation didn't just crack; it splintered. While ASEAN initially projected a rare image of defiance and solidarity, that unity lasted only weeks before the bloc’s two most export-dependent members, Vietnam and Cambodia, were first to break ranks to chase bilateral side deals with Washington.
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Thailand has a new prime minister – but not for long
After the ousting of Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, parliament has chosen her successor: Anutin Charnvirakul from the conservative Bhumjaithai Party. To secure his election, he had to accept the conditions of the progressive People’s Party – which is pushing for new elections within just a few months. The key questions and answers about the latest political twist in the kingdom.
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Building Back Stronger?
This policy paper highlights the vulnerabilities of migrant workers in Malaysia’s electronics industry, where flawed immigration policies and harmful labour practices, such as unfair wages, unsafe conditions, excessive hours, and unethical recruitment, expose them to forced labour. It calls for industry- and society-wide action to address systemic causes through stronger regulations.
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Resilient Women Reinvent Small Business
Facing seized shipments, scarce resources and political turmoil, women in Myanmar are finding creative ways to keep their businesses alive.
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CALD Women Mentorship Program Launches in Taipei
On August 8, 2025, the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom launched the Asian Women Education Mentorship Program (AWE), aimed to help young women grow in their public leadership roles and strengthen democratic resilience across Asia. For this three-month program, FNF SOOA bring together the expertise of our long-term partners CALD Women’s Caucus and the Democratic Progressive Party of Taiwan (DPP).
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Statement from the Bureau of Liberal International and the Executive Committee of the Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats on the Escalating Tensions Between Thailand and Cambodia
Amidst growing tension between Cambodia and Thailand over border dispute, the bureau of Liberal International and the executive committee of the Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats jointly issue a statement to call for maximum restraint and commit to peaceful negotiation over the dispute.
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China´s and Russia´s increasing influence in Southeast Asia
Beijing’s and Moscow’s strategic integration of diplomatic, military, and economic instruments - Joseph Nye calls the mix “smart power” - exert influence in Southeast Asia. Democratic states are concerned. But they must move beyond platitudes to counter Beijing’s and Moscow’s influence. Credible, pragmatic support that delivers tangible benefits on the ground are needed if the West wants to remain influential in the region.
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Business & Human Rights: Measures for the Global South
The UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights call for a “smart mix of measures — national and international, mandatory and voluntary — to foster business respect for human rights”. This was also the theme of the 13th UN Forum on Business and Human Rights in Geneva.
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East Asia Caught Between Washington and Beijing
Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan are opting for de-escalation in the tariff dispute with the United States. Europe should take note of East Asian democracies’ behavior: it finds itself in a similar dilemma.
Focus
Our Regional Team
Most popular
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Geopolitical dynamics favour India–EU trade deal
India -
Myanmar’s Forgotten Democratic Revolution
Myanmar -
Thailand: Hope for change, longing for stability
Thailand -
How Does Taiwan's Civil Society Leverage Technology and Citizen Activism to Enhance the Transparency of Parliament?
Innovation for Democracy