The Lien International Conference on Good Governance 2025 gathers Experts and Global Thought Leaders in Singapore
On 21 – 22 July 2025, the Lien International Conference on Good Governance 2025 concluded on a high note in Singapore, drawing over 300 distinguished participants from across the globe - including Singapore, China, India, South Korea, Australia, Greece, Africa and ASEAN member states. The well-attended biennial conference is recognised as one of the leading international events in public administration, serving as a dynamic platform for high-level engagement, thought leadership, and international collaboration on reimagining governance amid today’s complex global challenges.
Jointly organised by the Nanyang Centre for Public Administration (NCPA) at NTU Singapore, and the Lien Ying Chow Legacy Fellowship (LYCLF) Programme, the event was co-hosted in collaboration with the International Institute of Administrative Sciences (IIAS), the Civil Service College (CSC) Singapore, and the National Heritage Board (NHB), Singapore.
Themed “Global Resilience and Cultural Diversity”, this year’s edition focused on how governance systems can evolve to be more adaptive, inclusive, and future-ready in an increasingly complex and multipolar world. Across two days of rich exchange, the conference featured insights from global leaders on topics such as geopolitical change, digital governance, sustainable development, financial transformation, and the role of artificial intelligence in policy and public service.
The conference opened on 21 July 2025 at the National Gallery Singapore, with a keynote address by Professor Christian Wolfrum, Deputy President and Provost, NTU, Singapore. Professor Wolfrum emphasised the need for more collaborative and culturally attuned governance strategies, as the world becomes increasingly multipolar; in response to the fragmentation of multilateral systems, rising geopolitical tensions, and the rapid advancement of disruptive technologies. He called for more inclusive and culturally responsive approaches that prioritise multi-stakeholder cooperation, particularly among countries in the Global South.
In their welcome speeches, Professor Liu Hong, Associate Vice President (International Engagement), NTU and Director (Research & Executive Education), and Mr Laurence Lien, Chairman, Lien Foundation, jointly reaffirmed the conference’s mission to cultivate cutting-edge thinking in public governance and inspire regional and global impact.
A key highlight was the official launch of a new book, ASEAN Centrality and the Revitalisation of Regional Connectivity, authored by Prof Liu Hong, Dr Celia Lee, and Mr Jeremy Goh. Developed in collaboration with the Singapore Manufacturing Federation (SMF) and the LYCLF Programme, the publication offers fresh insights into the evolution of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and ASEAN’s growing role in shaping global value chains and regional integration.
The morning’s keynote session, chaired by Professor Jon Wilson, Dean of College of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences, NTU, featured prominent speakers including Ms Chang Hwee Nee, Chief Executive, NHB, Singapore; Professor Alan Chan, Provost, Singapore Management University; and Professor Michael Kenny, Director, Bennett Institute for Public Policy, Cambridge University.
The afternoon session featured three dynamic thematic dialogues namely, Transformative Governance, Building Resilience in Turbulent Times and Artificial Intelligence and Public Governance, with distinguished panellists including Mrs Rosa Huey Daniel, Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth, Singapore, Professor Georgios Papakonstantinou, European University Institute, Italy, Dr Vassilis Exarchos from Greece, Professor Wong Tien Yin, Tsinghua University, Professor Michael Charney, University of London, Professor Li Che Lan, City University of Hong Kong, Mr Sim Feng-ji, Ministry of Digital Development and Information, Singapore, and many others. Their wide-ranging insights reinforced the value of inclusive, interdisciplinary exchange in addressing governance challenges at both local and global levels. The first day concluded with a guided tour of the National Gallery Singapore, followed by the presentation of Best Paper Awards by Prof Liu Hong to five outstanding scholars from China and Indonesia, for their innovative research contributions.
In the evening, a special dinner was held for guests to mingle over good food and lively conversations in the spirit of friendship and international cooperation.
On Day 2, the conference continued at The Arc at NTU, where an impressive 49 breakout sessions were held on topics spanning digital transformation, policy innovation, sustainable finance, public service delivery, and institutional reform.
Among the standout sessions was a “Symposium on AI for Social Science: Methodological Innovations with Large Language Models”, chaired by Assoc Prof Wang Jue, Director, NCPA, which featured panels on Generative AI and Knowledge Production, AI Applications in Policy Evaluation and Innovation and Expansion in AI Governance. Another well-attended session, “Emerging Governance Frameworks for Financial Resilience and Social Impact”, was chaired by Dr Celia Lee to examine the evolving role of family offices, banks, and philanthropic institutions in driving financial innovation and inclusive growth.
As the world navigates an era of geopolitical realignment, rapid technological advancement, and social transformation, the Lien International Conference 2025 offered a meaningful platform for shared learning and exchange and addressed the ongoing need to explore and strengthen governance systems that are resilient, people-centric, and future-ready.
As participants gained renewed insights, strengthened networks, and new research collaborations, the Lien International Conference reaffirmed its standing as a leading convening point for scholars and practitioners dedicated to shaping the future of global public governance.
