The Asia–Europe Meeting (ASEM) is a unique cooperation initiative, bringing in scope for transnational cooperation between countries, through regional and sub-regional activities. Since its inception in 1996, ASEM has played a key role as a forum for dialogue and cooperation in connecting Asia and Europe. ASEM is a collective effort towards addressing the demands of greater connectivity amongst the geographies, economies, and peoples of Asia and Europe. ASEM is wide enough to accommodate global and intercontinental development priorities. And yet, it localises connectivity amongst Partner countries for partnerships for economic growth, trade and investment, quality infrastructure, skills development, education, sustainable development, and climate change. As the shadow of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic holds sway in both Europe and Asia, Cambodia’s hosting of ASEM13 assumes greater significance as it envisages an inclusive and prosperous growth pathway for the Asia–Europe region, through multilateral cooperation and sustainable development. The 13th ASEM Summit (ASEM13) has a mission to set out the future pathway for ASEM – built on the principles of mutual growth, sustainable development, and rules-based multilateralism.