SAFN Expands into ASEAN with New Leadership Appointments in Singapore and Thailand
NEWS
SAFN
9/3/2026
(L-R: Gerard Lopez with Jerome C. Glenn and Director Maldives for SAFN HE. AMB. Abdul Gafoor)
Washington, D.C., September 3, 2026 — The South Asia Foresight Network (SAFN), operating under The Millennium Project, has expanded its regional presence into Southeast Asia with the appointment of Gerard Lasantha (Lopez) as Director for Singapore and Country Coordinator for Thailand.
The appointment was formally presented by Jerome C. Glenn, CEO and Co-Founder of The Millennium Project, in Washington, D.C on September 1, 2026. SAFN established in 2023 under the leadership of Asanga Abeyagoonasekera, Executive Director of SAFN, the network brings together experts from academia, government, security, policy, technology, and entrepreneurship across South and Southeast Asia. SAFN seeks to strengthen regional foresight, research, and cooperation on emerging security, economic, technological, and social challenges.
Commenting on the expansion into ASEAN, Asanga Abeyagoonasekera said: “South and Southeast Asia are facing a rapidly changing landscape of interconnected challenges. From glacier melt and natural disasters and earthquakes in Myanmar to the growing complexity of economic crime and illicit financial flows, the threats confronting our region increasingly cross national borders. We need to address these challenges together by building stronger regional partnerships, sharing knowledge, and developing innovative solutions to our common problems.”He added: “SAFN will work closely with ASEAN partners and intends to establish a regional research presence in Southeast Asia. Our objective is to create stronger synergies between South and Southeast Asia and develop a platform for collaborative futures research, foresight, and policy innovation.”
Gerard Lasantha (Lopez) is a social entrepreneur whose career began at Pfizer before moving into the finance and music industries. With experience spanning Australia and international markets, he is the Founder and CEO of GemFinance and Vibes Music Australia. With a strong interest in regional development and research, Lopez has committed to supporting SAFN's work across South and Southeast Asia over the coming years. In his new role, he will contribute to expanding SAFN's regional partnerships, research initiatives, and engagement with stakeholders in Singapore, Thailand, and the wider ASEAN region.
The appointment marks an important step in SAFN's development as a regional foresight network connecting South and Southeast Asia and strengthening cooperation on the challenges that will shape the region's future.
