Horizons of Excellence: Southeast Asian Women’s Entrepreneurship Takes Center Stage in Phnom Penh

On November 21, 2025, Phnom Penh is set to host one of the most anticipated economic events of the year in the ASEAN region: the Pinnacle Entrepreneurs Forum (PEF) and the ASEAN Women Entrepreneurs Network (AWEN) Awards Gala.

This prestigious gathering will bring together more than 100 outstanding women entrepreneurs from the ten ASEAN member countries, under the inspiring banner “The World Thrives When We Collaborate.” Organized at the Sofitel Phnom Penh Phokeethra, this flagship event marks a major milestone in the recognition of female leadership and in promoting inclusive, sustainable regional economic growth.​

A Gathering of Influence and Innovation

The dual AWEN 2025 and PEF event serves as a catalyst to stimulate women’s entrepreneurship, innovation, and smart investments. It offers a unique platform where policymakers, investors, business leaders, and innovators can exchange views on challenges and opportunities presented by ASEAN’s emerging markets.​

The opening address will be delivered by Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet, Prime Minister of Cambodia, highlighting the strategic importance the national authorities attach to this gathering.

The Pinnacle Forum will feature a series of thematic panels throughout the day, from 7:30 am to 4 pm, exploring investment strategies in high-growth potential sectors, risk-reduced funding mechanisms, and issues related to the regional entrepreneurial ecosystem. In the evening, a gala ceremony starting at 6:30 pm will honor women leaders who are shaping the economy of tomorrow.​

Female Leadership: Driving Growth and Social Impact

The AWEN Award Gala annually honors up to ten outstanding women entrepreneurs per country for their innovation, leadership, and contributions to economic and social development. The 2025 event will spotlight over 100 laureates, bringing together a powerful network designed to catalyze cross-border synergies.​

More than just a ceremony, this evening embodies a deep commitment to women’s economic empowerment at the heart of ASEAN. The First Lady of Cambodia, Pich Chanmony, will attend the awards presentation alongside ministers and influential personalities, further enhancing the visibility and institutional support for this cause.​

Top-Tier Speakers and Strengthened Strategic Perspectives

Among the keynote speakers, Anthony Galliano, CEO of Cambodian Investment Management, will share his expertise on investments in Southeast Asia’s emerging markets, emphasizing the need to diversify capital sources and adopt innovative approaches. In a context where Cambodia is recognized as the “Asian Tiger of the 21st Century,” his analysis is based on solid economic indicators: an average annual GDP growth rate of 7% since 2000, public debt controlled at less than 30% of GDP, and a highly dollarized economy ensuring stability and attractiveness for foreign investors.​

Other prominent figures such as Gabriele Faja, President of the European Chamber of Commerce in Cambodia, and Adrienne Ravez-Men, a recognized innovator in artificial intelligence and blockchain, will share their visions on integrating smart capital into startup growth strategies in the region. These interventions will illustrate new funding trends, notably the growing role of angel investors and venture capital funds in transforming ASEAN’s industrial fabric.​

A Public-Private Partnership Platform for Inclusive Growth

The 2025 AWEN edition is supported by over 40 institutional and private partners, including MekongNet, AIA, and Mong Khun Group, sponsoring the event at platinum to silver levels. This mobilization demonstrates increased recognition of the crucial role the private sector plays in promoting equitable growth.​

The forum will open up new business opportunities, especially for women-led SMEs, which represent an essential lever for employment and local innovation in the region. It will also encourage the sharing of best practices and the creation of transnational networks that facilitate inter-company collaborations.​

Phnom Penh: An Emerging Capital for the ASEAN Economy

This gathering takes place in the dynamic context where Phnom Penh is positioning itself as a showcase of innovation and economic openness in Southeast Asia. Cambodia’s efforts to improve its business climate, strengthen infrastructure, and attract foreign capital are key factors behind this growing recognition.​

The country benefits from major trade agreements with partners such as China, South Korea, and the regional RCEP bloc, offering foreign investors preferential access to a vast market. This perspective is reinforced by the presence of initiators such as Anthony Galliano and Thomas Lee of Moores Rowland, who highlight Cambodia’s competitive advantages, including competitive production costs and access to a skilled workforce.​

In short, the Pinnacle Entrepreneurs Forum and AWEN 2025 Gala in Phnom Penh are not merely a celebration of the spirit of women’s entrepreneurship, but also a brilliant demonstration of ASEAN’s rapidly growing economic strength. This event promises to be a decisive turning point for fostering innovation, responsible investment, and regional cooperation, placing female leadership at the heart of a new era of prosperity and sustainable development.​