Sanchita Basu Das is an economist at the Regional Cooperation and Integration Division of the Economic Research and Development Impact Department of the Asian Development Bank (ADB). She contributes to the division’s flagship publication, namely the Asian Economic Integration Report, and other knowledge products. She also supports the ASEAN regional forum. Her core research interests include regional cooperation and initiatives related to them, such as trade, logistics, industrial corridors, tourism, digital economy, institutions, and others. Sanchita joined ADB in November 2018 and served as an economist in the South Asia Department, processing loans/grants, implementing technical assistance projects, and leading operationally relevant analytical studies.

Prior to joining ADB, Sanchita was the lead researcher for economic affairs at the ASEAN Studies Centre of ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute, Singapore. She was concurrently a fellow of the Regional Economic Studies Program, coordinator of Singapore APEC Studies Centre and a co-editor of Journal of Southeast Asian Economies (JSEAE), all housed under the same institute. Sanchita has published in international journals including the Singapore Economic Review, Journal of World Trade and Asia Pacific Economic Literature, authored/edited books and book chapters, and wrote for media. Sanchita earned her PhD in international political economy from Nanyang Technology University, Singapore, and her masters in economics and business management from the University of Delhi and the National University of Singapore, respectively.

Hyunjung Lee is the GMS/ASEAN Energy Program Lead at the Asian Development Bank (ADB) where she plays a key role in advancing regional energy cooperation and integration to support long-term regional energy security and sustainability in Southeast Asia. She leads the development of key operation strategies for the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) and ASEAN energy initiatives; provides policy advice, technical cooperation, and financing solutions in the areas of cross-border energy connectivity, renewable energy development, regional power trade; and builds partnerships with key stakeholders across governments, utilities, private sector, and development partners. With over 20 years of experience in energy economics, infrastructure development, and public policy, she has worked extensively with governments, utilities, and development partners to advance clean energy development and strengthen power sector governance. She holds a Ph.D. in economics and a bachelor’s degree in engineering in Korea and has received advanced training in the United States.

Professor Yuen Yoong Leong is the Director of Sustainability Studies at SDSN, Asia Headquarters, Sunway University. She co-leads the ASEAN Green Future project, analyzing climate policies and renewable energy integration. She also co-leads the EU-funded RE-CONNECT project to enhance Malaysia’s GHG emissions modeling and a biogas project to convert livestock waste into energy in partnership with the Sustainable Energy Development Authority Malaysia. Additionally, she co-created the ASEAN Resilient Grid Capacity Building Programme with the Global Energy Interconnection Development and Cooperation Organisation (GEIDCO), supporting Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship 2025. Her work focuses on climate action, net-zero pathways, and sustainable energy, collaborating with regional and global partners to drive policy recommendations and capacity building in Southeast Asia.