The event will take place at Asia House in London and will see distinguished guests across government and business gather as we look ahead to another 12 months of political and economic uncertainty – in a global order in which Asia increasingly takes centre stage.

China’s Ambassador to the UK, His Excellency Zheng Zeguang, will now be at the event to give a keynote address.

Seema Malhotra MP, UK Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Indo-Pacific, will also speak at the event, as was announced in December.

Matilda Townsend, Asia House Senior Analyst and the report’s lead author, will present the report’s key findings after opening remarks from Michael Lawrence OBE, Asia House Chief Executive.

The report comes at a time of political and economic uncertainty globally, but also one in which Asia’s fundamentals are strong and its growth outlook positive.

• Asia’s momentum is being driven by strong domestic demand, increasing investment, and rapid digitalisation, despite softening global demand. Capital is flowing in at pace as Asia becomes a hub for AI and semiconductors, which is creating opportunities for more economies to position themselves within key supply chains by developing AI strategies and investing in infrastructure and skills.

• Yet challenges remain. Asia’s exports held up better than expected in 2025 due to frontloading ahead of US tariff increases, but this temporary buffer will fade. International exporters will need to remain agile in responding to continued volatility and a more transactional approach to trade.

• Regional tensions also cloud the outlook. Ongoing friction across the Taiwan Strait and volatility between India and Pakistan pose security risks. Conflict has flared back up on the Thailand–Cambodia border, while domestic issues – such as protests in Indonesia and the Philippines – hamper investor confidence.

All of this has implications for the economic trajectory of Asia. The Annual Outlook 2026, which will be published on the day of the event (15 January), will include economic forecasts and predictions for nine key economies in Asia – China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, the Philippines, South Korea, Thailand and Vietnam – and for the region as a whole.