In what could become a major step for the Kingdom’s business community, the Pinnacle Entrepreneur Forum has outlined its goal of growing from a national gathering into a significant regional and global trade and business forum.
Starting with a vision inspired by the World Economic Forum, the event seeks to become a platform that brings together global leaders, policymakers, entrepreneurs and businesspeople, all working to build a better, more inclusive future for business.
After a successful 2024 debut, Cambodia is once again set to host the prestigious event this year, continuing its mission to promote entrepreneurship, innovation, and regional collaboration.
During a June 30 press conference, Chin Thomith, founder of iDEN and the event’s director, outlined the forum’s ambitious goal of emulating the global reach of the World Economic Forum.
The Pinnacle Entrepreneur Forum and AWEN Award 2025 were launched at a press conference by The ASEAN Women Entrepreneurs Network (AWEN), in collaboration with the Cambodia Women Entrepreneurs Network (CamWEN) and iDEN Agency.
Thomith emphasised that the Pinnacle Entrepreneur Forum, like its global counterpart, began with a local focus but is growing into an international forum that is attracting attention from global leaders.
“The Pinnacle Entrepreneur Forum is unusual. The reason why we created our programme was because we received participation from the highest leaders: the prime minister, senior ministers, and even many ambassadors,” he remarked.
The forum’s purpose is to create opportunities for collaboration among leaders in business, government and innovation.
The 2024 forum featured high-profile speakers, including Deputy Prime Minister Sun Chanthol, Minister of Industry, Science, Technology and Innovation Hen Vanndy and many prominent business figures.
Thomith noted that these gatherings offered much more than speeches, providing a unique opportunity for participants to forge business relationships that could lead to collaborative ventures.
In 2025, the Pinnacle Entrepreneur Forum will take on an even greater role, providing a platform to share investment and business opportunities in Cambodia and the ASEAN region.
Businesspeople and organisations, including the Cambodian Women’s Development Association and the Cambodian Tourism Association, will be part of the discussions.
“This is a platform for businesspeople can gather information and create meaningful partnerships,” said Thomith, highlighting the international scope the forum is now targeting.
Following the success of the 2024 event, Eng Lykoung, chairwoman of AWEN in Cambodia and president of the Cambodian Women Entrepreneurs’ Network (CamWEN ), also reflected on the growing impact of the forum.
Lykoung’s invitation to speak at the World Women’s Forum in Mongolia and by the World Trade Organization (WTO) speaks to the forum’s increasing regional recognition.
“After the 2024 event, I was invited by the President of Mongolia as a speaker at the World Women’s Forum Mongolia 2024 and by the WTO through the International Trade Center to showcase the potential of the ASEAN region, as well as Cambodia,” she noted.
The 2025 edition of the forum, scheduled for September in Phnom Penh, promises to be an even more significant milestone in Cambodia’s journey as a hub for international business dialogue.
It will feature discussions on sustainable development, digital transformation, and inclusive growth, aligning with the theme: “The World Prospers When We Collaborate”.
“This year’s theme reflects our unwavering belief that entrepreneurship, innovation and women’s empowerment are the cornerstones of sustainable prosperity in ASEAN and beyond,” said Lykoung.
The second edition Pinnacle Entrepreneur Forum is expected be chaired by the Cambodian Prime Minister, further reinforcing the government’s commitment to creating an entrepreneurial ecosystem that attracts investment and fosters collaboration.
High-level panels will cover pressing issues facing the region, including trade policies and the promotion of inclusive economic growth.
A notable highlight of the forum will be the handover of the AWEN Chairmanship from Cambodia to Laos, symbolising the region’s continued commitment to collaboration and leadership.
The inaugural Pinnacle Entrepreneur Forum took place in August last year, under the patronage of Prime Minister Hun Manet.
Organised by CamWEN and AWEN, the event attracted over 400 participants from across ASEAN.
The forum’s mission focused on empowering women entrepreneurs, enhancing access to finance, promoting innovation and attracting global investment to Cambodia.
Prime Minister Manet underscored women’s vital role in society and business, noting ASEAN’s 60 million women business owners.
“Women are the heart of the family, the spirit of the community and the conscience of the nation,” he said.
The forum featured a high-level panel discussion on investment and economic policy.
Sun Chanthol emphasised the need to compete globally, stating, “Our role should be to facilitate the private sector, not manage it.”
Industry leaders echoed the call for better domestic production and service quality.
The 2024 ASEAN Women Entrepreneurs Network (AWEN) Award was presented in conjunction with the Pinnacle Entrepreneur Forum in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, recognizing 100 exceptional women entrepreneurs from across ASEAN.
The AWEN Award honoured 100 women entrepreneurs from across ASEAN. Cambodia led with 23 winners, followed by Thailand (11), Myanmar (12), Indonesia (18), and others.
