Gender Equality & Collaboration Key to ASEAN's Growth: PEF

• The​‍​‌‍​‍‌ most recent Pinnacle Entrepreneur Forum emphasized the importance of gender equality and regional cooperation
• The AWEN Awards 2024 honoured women entrepreneurs of influence, whose success stories serve as the source of inspiration

The​‍​‌‍​‍‌ Pinnacle Entrepreneur Forum (PEF), a recently held major gathering of leaders emphasized the role of gender equality and empowerment as a main source of widened economic growth and stronger collaboration in the region.

PEF, apart from being a platform for elite conversation, focuses on real results through the creation of cross-border partnerships, facilitating the flow of capital and supporting the implementation of policies that empower ​‍​‌‍​‍‌entrepreneurs.

One​‍​‌‍​‍‌ of the most notable annual events, the ASEAN Women Entrepreneurs Network (AWEN) Award, is to the forefront by its glowing recognition of the contribution and the excellence of women entrepreneurs throughout the ASEAN bloc, says a statement.

In particular, it brings out the qualities of the brave, creative, and leadership of the female sex who have deeply influenced not only their industries but also the ​‍​‌‍​‍‌communities. The statement also said, “By honouring these trailblazers, the AWEN Award aims to inspire the next generation of female leaders and foster a supportive ecosystem for women in business.”

According​‍​‌‍​‍‌ to Eng Lykuong, Co-Founder and Chairperson of PEF, AWEN Chairperson and CamWEN President, the forum is a movement built on collaboration. She further explained that the theme, ‘The World Prospers When We Collaborate’, emphasizes that co-prosperity is what leads to the next step of ASEAN, not simply separate initiatives.

She explained that these three interconnected forces will determine the future of ASEAN: business to be the main source of positive impact, digital to be the fast-moving current, and innovation to be the guiding compass for new ​‍​‌‍​‍‌solutions.

She stated, “Women entrepreneurs remain a powerful but under-recognised engine of growth. Celebrating their achievements at the AWEN Awards signals ASEAN’s commitment to gender equality and inclusive economic development.”

Lykuong​‍​‌‍​‍‌ pointed out that Timor-Leste becoming AWEN's 11th member is a clear indication that the regional network is expanding ​‍​‌‍​‍‌further.

She added, “The world is watching ASEAN’s ability to move from individual markets toward a unified force of innovation and shared prosperity and that collaboration is the mechanism that will make it happen.”