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| Asia-Pacific Foundation | |
|---|---|
| Name | Asia-Pacific Foundation |
| Formation | 20XX |
| Type | Non-profit think tank |
| Headquarters | City, Country |
| Region served | Asia-Pacific |
| Leader title | President |
| Leader name | Name Surname |
Asia-Pacific Foundation is a regional policy institute focused on fostering relations across the Asia-Pacific region, engaging with governments, multinational institutions, and civil society. The foundation convenes dialogues that involve actors such as ASEAN, APEC, United Nations, World Bank, and national capitals such as Canberra, Beijing, Tokyo, Seoul, and Washington, D.C.. It situates its work at the intersection of strategic studies, trade policy, and transnational issues involving actors like the Asian Development Bank, International Monetary Fund, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, and regional universities such as National University of Singapore and University of Tokyo.
The foundation was established in the aftermath of major regional shifts including the Asian financial crisis and the expansion of APEC networks, with founding figures connected to institutions like Hudson Institute, Chatham House, and national foreign ministries. Early initiatives aligned with diplomatic events such as the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum meetings and bilateral dialogues between capitals like Ottawa and Beijing. Over time, the foundation adapted through episodes such as the Global Financial Crisis (2007–2008), the rise of China in regional affairs, and high-profile security tensions exemplified by incidents involving South China Sea arbitration and trilateral consultations among United States allies. Its archives document conferences attended by delegations from India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, New Zealand, and Pacific island states linked to forums like the Pacific Islands Forum.
The foundation’s mission emphasizes enhancing dialogue among policymakers, businesses, and scholars from jurisdictions including Japan, Republic of Korea, Australia, Canada, United States, and Southeast Asian states. Objectives list promotion of trade liberalization influenced by frameworks such as the Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiations, support for regional connectivity projects akin to proposals associated with Belt and Road Initiative actors, and facilitation of norms-building in contexts related to United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea deliberations. It aims to convene stakeholders from multilateral lenders like the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank and private sector consortia engaged with standards from bodies such as International Organization for Standardization.
The foundation is governed by a board drawn from former diplomats, corporate leaders, and academics affiliated with institutions like Harvard University, London School of Economics, Peking University, Australian National University, and policy institutes such as Stimson Center and Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. Executive leadership typically includes a president and directors overseeing divisions mirroring centers at Brookings Institution and Rand Corporation: centers for trade and investment, security studies, and environmental resilience. Its advisory panels have included former ministers from Japan, ex-ambassadors to China, corporate chairs from firms listed on Tokyo Stock Exchange, and deans from regional schools such as Tsinghua University and Seoul National University.
Programs replicate models used by institutes like Council on Foreign Relations and include annual conferences, policy roundtables, and fellowship schemes drawing participants from ministries of foreign affairs, chambers of commerce like the Confederation of British Industry, and think tanks such as Asia Society. Activities range from convening crisis-management simulations inspired by scenarios in the South China Sea arbitration to hosting dialogues on supply-chain resilience involving firms integrated with the ASEAN Economic Community and multinationals headquartered in Silicon Valley. Youth leadership initiatives have partnered with universities including National University of Singapore and University of British Columbia to develop curricula on regional governance and diplomacy.
The foundation produces working papers, policy briefs, and edited volumes similar to outputs published by RAND Corporation and Chatham House. Research topics include trade architecture comparisons involving Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership analysis, maritime security assessments referencing incidents in the South China Sea, and studies on infrastructure financing that examine projects tied to the Asian Development Bank and Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank. Publications have featured contributions by scholars associated with Columbia University, Oxford University, Peking University, and former officials from Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Japan), often cited in media coverage alongside outlets such as The Economist and Financial Times.
Partnerships span multilateral agencies like the United Nations Development Programme, bilateral donors from capitals such as Ottawa and Canberra, and corporate partners drawn from indices such as the Nikkei 225 and S&P/ASX 200. Funding sources include project grants from institutions like the World Bank, endowments linked to philanthropic foundations similar to Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation models, and sponsored research from multinational corporations engaged in sectors regulated by standards-setting bodies such as the International Maritime Organization. Collaborative projects have included joint initiatives with universities like Australian National University and networks like the Council for Security Cooperation in the Asia Pacific.
Supporters credit the foundation with shaping policy discussions that influenced negotiations in forums such as APEC and contributed evidence used in policy decisions by ministries in Canada, Australia, and Japan. Critics, including commentators from outlets like The Guardian and scholars from University of Auckland, have questioned potential corporate influence when private sector funding aligns with policy recommendations, and raised concerns about balance when engaging actors tied to initiatives like the Belt and Road Initiative. Debates also reference transparency practices compared to standards advocated by watchdogs such as Transparency International and the expectations set by academic peer review in publications from institutions like Cambridge University Press.
Category:Think tanks