Bali, May 2023 – The ASEAN Regional Union of Psychological Societies (ARUPS), in partnership with the International Union of Psychological Science (IUPsyS), concluded its strategic meeting with the Bali Declaration 2023, reinforcing the role of psychology in driving sustainable social and policy development across Southeast Asia.
Key outcomes include:
- Recognition of psychology as a cross-cultural, multidisciplinary tool for advocacy, education, and community empowerment.
- Commitment to strengthen ARUPS as IUPsyS’s official regional platform.
- Leadership succession planning to ensure long-term organizational sustainability.
Led by President Adrian Toh (Singapore) for 2022–2024, ARUPS unites national psychology associations to share knowledge, standardize professional competencies, and expand mobility for psychologists across ASEAN. Upcoming ARUPS Conferences are scheduled for the Philippines (2025), Indonesia (2027), Malaysia (2029), and Singapore (2031).
With a clear roadmap, ARUPS is poised to advance mental health, harmonize professional standards, and amplify psychology’s impact on policy and community well-being in the ASEAN region.
