CNN hosts "Global Perspectives" in Bangkok... and prominent leaders discuss the growing role of Asia

(CNN) - An elite group of influential leaders and thinkers gathered to discuss Asia's growing role in shaping the global economy, politics, technology and culture, in the first Asian edition of CNN's "Global Perspectives" event series, in the Thai capital, Bangkok, on Wednesday.

The event - which was held by special invitations - was attended by Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana Rajakanya, daughter of the King of Thailand, and was opened by Anutin Charnvirakul, Prime Minister of Thailand. The event witnessed the participation of a group of prominent leaders, decision-makers and influential figures from the region and beyond, who discussed in depth the forces driving global transformation.

More than 500 people participated in the panel discussions at the Global Perspectives event in Bangkok, including European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde, World Trade Organization Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Grab CEO Anthony Tan, and Maggie Kang, Oscar-winning co-director of the KPop film Demon Hunters.

Prominent speakers provided their insights on leadership in an age of change, the resilience of global trade, and the future of artificial intelligence. The dialogues were moderated by a group of CNN anchors and correspondents: Dr. Sanjay Gupta, Richard Quest, Christie Lou Stout, Will Ripley, and Hanako Montgomery.

The discussion sessions addressed the ideas that shape convictions, the forces that influence life paths, and the future that we are all working to shape.

“I am very pleased to welcome the CNN Global Perspectives event,” said Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul. “This event gives us an opportunity to listen to diverse viewpoints and discuss how economic decisions affect people’s daily lives.”

During the sessions witnessed by the event, European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde said: “We are currently facing the ongoing Russian war against Ukraine, which is a notorious war that is casting a shadow - as you know - on refining capabilities (in the oil sector). In addition, since last March, we have been witnessing a war in the Middle East, which is also putting enormous pressure on the supply and movement of oil and gas.”

For her part, WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala said, “Global trade is facing the greatest disruptions it has ever seen in the eighty-year history of the World Trade Organization... But at the same time, what has really surprised us is how resilient trade is.”

Meanwhile, Grab CEO Anthony Tan said, “AI itself will not take away your job, but rather the person who knows how to use AI will replace you.” He added: "If you do not invest in self-development and learn and adopt artificial intelligence technologies, then unfortunately, someone else who has adopted these technologies will come and take your job."

“As a culture, we've really established ourselves in film and television with Squid Game, and in music with K-pop,” said Maggie Kang, Oscar-winner and creator and co-director of KPop Demon Hunters.

She added, “Growing up in a period where my culture was not considered ‘popular’ or ‘special,’ I was very surprised and thought to myself, ‘Oh my God, we are now cool!’ Maybe it is time for us to do something special in the field of animation. Koreans have always produced works in this field for others, but we have never had work that we can consider completely our own.”