Highlights from day one of #ASEAN16

Business tips from the man who bought an airline for 25 cents, reaping the benefits of the Fourth Industrial Revolution for all, shaping a new agenda on human rights - here are some the highlights from the first day of the World Economic Forum on ASEAN, taking place in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Booming ASEAN

Did you know that if ASEAN were a single country, it would be the seventh largest economy in the world? For more surprising things you - probably - didn't know about ASEAN, watch this short video.

Closing ASEAN's gender gap

Growing economies like those in the ASEAN region can realize their full potential - if they create more employment opportunities for women. CEO of Plan International, Anne-Birgitte Albrectsen, writes: "Across Asia, greater female participation has gone hand in hand with economic transformation." Read her full blog here.

ASEAN's growth outlook

A hot topics on day one was inclusive growth and how to create opportunities for the region's next generation of workers. "One of the skill-sets that are needed for today’s labour force is EQ - emotional quotient. It’s never there before, it’s now there. It’s really the ability for you to be persistent and not give up when you have all these rapid changes happening around you,” said Mari Elka Pangestu, Professor of International Economics, University of Indonesia, during the session ASEAN and the Big Picture.

Which of the ASEAN countries have the highest GDP?

Here's how the 10 nations in the bloc compare.

Looking up - AirAsia's Tony Fernandes on aviation and entreprenership

Fifteen years ago he bought AirAsia for 25 cents. Today, it's one of the region's biggest airlines. Here he is taking your questions during a Facebook Live conversation with us.

We also published a report on the new regulatory model for foreign investment in airlines, which you can read here.

The future of jobs

A new report published today takes a closer look at the future of skills and employment in the ASEAN region. How can the region’s talent be best positioned for growth?

We also asked for your thoughts on the impact of automation. Here are the results:

Finally, which ASEAN country offers the best minimum wage? Take a look at this to find out:

Can businesses do more on human rights?

Secretary General of Amnesty International Salil Shetty, one of our meeting co-chairs, believes businesses need to act now to improve the state of human rights in South-East Asia.

Here's the full blog:

Human rights are under attack – it’s time for the business world to do more.

Opening Plenary

The Prime Ministers of Malaysia, Cambodia and Timor-Leste all took part in our opening plenary, along with the Vice-President of Indonesia and Deputy Prime Minister of Vietnam.

The focus was on economic growth and social inclusion, and you can re-watch the session in the player below.

Day one live blog

For a full recap of the opening day, head over to our live blog.

For more blogs, take a look at our special ASEAN blog series, here.

The World Economic Forum on ASEAN is taking place in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from 1 to 2 June.