Messages from the Keynote and Hosts
Meet the Keynote Speaker
Dr. Adil Najam
President, WWF International
Dean Emeritus and Professor, Pardee School of Global Studies, Boston University
Dr. Adil Najam is a globally recognized scholar of climate policy, sustainable development, and international cooperation. He currently serves as the Dean Emeritus and Professor of International Relations and Earth & Environment at Boston University and has previously led major international institutions focused on development and environment.
Originally from Pakistan, Dr. Najam’s work bridges academia, policy, and global diplomacy. He has advised governments, multilateral institutions, and civil society organizations on issues of climate change governance, sustainable development, and global negotiations. His research explores how developing countries engage with global environmental regimes and how equity and justice shape international climate policy.
Dr. Najam has held senior leadership roles including serving as the Vice Chancellor of Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS), where he strengthened research and global engagement. He has also worked with international bodies such as the United Nations and the World Bank, contributing to high-level discussions on climate action and sustainable development.
A prolific author and public intellectual, Dr. Najam is widely known for making complex global issues accessible and relevant to diverse audiences. His commentary frequently appears in international media, and he remains an influential voice on climate diplomacy and South Asian development.
As Keynote Speaker for AAS-in-Asia Lahore 2026, Dr. Najam brings a uniquely interdisciplinary perspective that connects Asian Studies to urgent global questions of environmental change, governance, and social transformation. His address is expected to engage scholars across fields and spark critical conversations about Asia’s evolving role in shaping the global future.
A Warm Welcome from the Hosts
We are grateful to the Association for Asian Studies for selecting LUMS to host the 2026 AAS-in-Asia Conference. It is a privilege to welcome over 1,000 participants from 37 countries, reflecting the breadth and diversity of this scholarly community. LUMS is deeply committed to advancing academic exchange in the Global South, and this gathering provides an important opportunity to deepen that commitment. [Read More...]
Dr. Ali Cheema
Vice Chancellor, Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS)
I am delighted to welcome you to the 2026 AAS-in-Asia conference in the historic city of Lahore. The conference has been organized by the Lahore School of Management Sciences (LUMS) in collaboration with the AAS. Since the first AAS-in-Asia at NUS in Singapore, the conference has been held in Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, India, Thailand, Japan (virtually), South Korea, Indonesia, and Nepal. [Read More...]