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ASEAN Women Entrepreneurs Network (AWEN) — Historical Path and Thailand’s Leadership
The ASEAN Women Entrepreneurs Network (AWEN) was created as a regional mechanism under the ASEAN Committee on Women (ACW) to strengthen the capacity, competitiveness, and regional connectivity of women-led enterprises across ASEAN.
Thailand holds a unique and continuous place in AWEN’s history — from the birth of the idea to regional leadership and ongoing national coordination today.
2007 — The Birth of the Idea
📍 Chiang Mai, Thailand
At the 6th ACW Meeting in November 2007, Viet Nam proposed the establishment of a regional platform to connect ASEAN women entrepreneurs. Member states welcomed the initiative.
Significance:
Thailand became the birthplace of the AWEN concept, where ASEAN first agreed to explore a women entrepreneurs network.
2012 — From Idea to Structure
📍 Vientiane, Lao PDR
At the 11th ACW Meeting, ASEAN adopted the Terms of Reference (ToR) for AWEN.
Significance:
AWEN moved from concept to an official ASEAN framework with defined objectives, structure, and roles.
2014 — Official Establishment
📍 Hanoi, Viet Nam
AWEN was formally launched and began operating as a regional ASEAN network linking national women entrepreneurs’ organizations.
Significance:
AWEN became an active ASEAN institution.
🇹🇭 Thailand’s Leadership Role in AWEN
2018–2020 — Thailand as AWEN Regional Chair
📍 Bangkok, Thailand
During this period:
- Khunying Natthika Wattanavekin Angubolkul served as AWEN Regional Chairperson.
- Thailand hosted the landmark AWEN Women CEOs Summit 2019.
- This summit produced the Bangkok Declaration 2019, which translated AWEN’s vision into practical strategic directions for ASEAN.
2018–2021 — Regional Executive Coordination
Dr. MomLuang Preeyapun Sridhavat served as:
Chair of the Executive Committee — AWEN Regional (2018–2021)
She played a key role in:
- Strengthening coordination among ASEAN focal points
- Driving implementation of AWEN objectives after Thailand assumed leadership
- Connecting ASEAN policy vision with real activities
2021–Present — Chairperson of AWEN Thailand
Dr. MomLuang Preeyapun Sridhavat currently serves as:
Chairperson of AWEN Thailand
Leading:
- Thailand’s engagement with ASEAN women entrepreneurs
- National coordination, nominations, and participation
- Collaboration with government agencies and women’s business associations
- Sustaining Thailand’s legacy from AWEN’s origin to present action
📜 The Bangkok Declaration — 7 Key Strategic Areas
The outcome of the 2019 Summit in Bangkok was a clear strategic roadmap known as the Bangkok Declaration, consisting of seven priority areas for empowering ASEAN women entrepreneurs:
- Digitalization of Market Access and Outreach
- Fostering Financial Inclusion, Literacy, and Discipline
- Re-skilling MSMEs, Women Entrepreneurs, and their Workforce
- Promoting Sustainability and Self-Sufficiency for MSMEs
- Enhancing ASEAN Women Information Sharing
- Empowerment of ASEAN Women’s Leadership in the International Arena
- Addressing Environmental Issues and Resilience to Climate Change
These pillars remain highly relevant and continue to guide AWEN activities across ASEAN and in Thailand.
Thailand is uniquely linked to every critical stage of AWEN’s journey:
- The place where the idea began
- A country that helped formalize the structure
- A founding participant in the launch
- A regional leader shaping strategic direction
- And a current national leader ensuring continuity and action
This continuity places AWENThailand is uniquely linked to every critical stage of AWEN’s journey:
- The place where the idea began
- A country that helped formalize the structure
- A founding participant in the launch
- A regional leader shaping strategic direction
- And a current national leader ensuring continuity and action
This continuity places AWEN Thailand in a distinguished position within ASEAN’s efforts to advance women’s entrepreneurship and economic empowerment.
