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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Why Malaysia’s Economic and Political Outlook Matters to Germany
Following the 2026 Malaysia Outlook Conference, hosted by IDEAS Malaysia in partnership with FNF Malaysia, Dr. Stewart Nixon drew up an analysis highlighting Malaysia’s growing strategic importance and calls for deeper Southeast Asia-Europe connectivity across economic, security, technological, and environmental fronts. As Malaysia and Germany confront shared challenges, from decarbonisation to democratic resilience, the path forward points toward stronger cooperation in an increasingly complex geopolitical landscape.
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ASEAN GOES BRICS
Indonesia has joined BRICS as a full member. Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam have partner status. What drives ASEAN’s biggest countries towards BRICS?
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From Aid to Investment: Reframing Germany–Nepal Economic Relations
In an era of geopolitical uncertainty and supply-chain reconfiguration, Nepal offers Germany something rare: a chance to co-create a market rather than merely enter one. Strategic bilateral support can turn Nepal from a marginal trading partner into a reliable node in Germany’s broader South Asia engagement, thereby benefiting both economies in the process.
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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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Will ASEAN reform SOE Governance to align with OECD?
ASEAN economies are integrated in trade and investment, yet uneven in governance standards. As Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam and the Philippines are deepening ties with the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), governance standards become an issue.
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Reformist movement suffers setback as conservative-leaning party claims landslide victory
Caretaker Prime Minister Anutin's Bhumjaithai Party secured a majority of seats. The progressive People’s Party finished in second place by a surprisingly wide margin.
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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.
