Asia Policy Leadership Forum 2026 (APLF) Cohort 1

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Call for the Asia Policy Leadership Forum 2026!!!

Asia is at a critical inflection point as rapid technological change intersects with governance and societal challenges. Fragmented regulatory frameworks, uneven digital infrastructure, and rising concerns over data sovereignty are creating gaps in public trust and complicating cross-border collaboration. These dynamics threaten the cohesion and resilience needed for inclusive, forward-looking governance in an increasingly interconnected region.

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Asia is experiencing a significant surge in technological innovation. Concurrently, data sovereignty has become a critical issue, as countries implement robust data localization laws to ensure control over their digital infrastructures.

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At the same time, Asia is rapidly developing digital public infrastructure to support inclusive governance, economic growth, and social services, while innovation ecosystems are expanding through cross-sector collaboration between governments, startups, and research institutions. Yet challenges remain in balancing open data sharing with privacy and security concerns, ensuring equitable access to technology, and addressing the societal impacts of AI, automation, and emerging digital platforms across diverse communities.

The inaugural Asia Policy Leadership Forum in 2026 will bring together 35–45 emerging leaders and early-to-mid-career professionals from across Asia to address these pressing issues. Through collaborative workshops and expert-led sessions, Fellows will explore strategies for strengthening digital public infrastructure, enhancing data governance frameworks, and fostering inclusive technological innovation with communities at the heart of it. By bridging policy, technology, and societal needs, APLF aims to cultivate a new generation of leaders equipped to navigate the complexities of the digital age and drive transformative change across the region.

This Program Aims To:

• Catalyze Transformative Leadership: Equip emerging and mid-career leaders with the knowledge, skills, and strategic networks needed to navigate complex policy, technology, and governance challenges across Asia.
• Advance Responsible Technology and Governance: Explore and develop forward-looking policy solutions that promote ethical, equitable, and sustainable use of technology, strengthen digital governance, and enhance societal resilience.
• Build a Regional Network for Impact: Foster a vibrant, cross-sectoral community of leaders committed to collaboration, knowledge sharing, and scaling solutions that address the region’s most pressing technological and societal challenges.

The Forum prioritizes participation from underrepresented and historically marginalized groups within the policy space. There are limited spots for partially funded participation via scholarships (covering travel, room and/or board costs), to get involved in this program.