By ZHANG YI TING

Kishore Mahbubani, dean of the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy at the National University of Singapore, has been named by the Financial Times as one of 50 people whose vision and collective voice will drive the world forward.

Credited for his keen eye for the Asian perspective, Mr Mahbubani advocates a larger Asian presence in global discussions. 'The weight of Asia is growing in every sense: economic, politic, and in education; yet few Asian voices are speaking out,' he tells BT.

But he does speak out. And at the launch of the 'Asia and the Global Economic Crisis' task force report yesterday, he emphasised the need for Asian countries to 'strengthen regional cooperation mechanisms' and 'provide greater leadership to find global solutions' to the economic crisis.

In line with this, the task force report aims to spark a new round of Asian reflection on the crisis. Such initiatives are crucial, because 'in disagreeing, there starts a process of discussion', Mr Mahbubani explained.

Learning that he was on the FT list, he described his immediate sentiments as 'intrigued' and 'puzzled'. But modest disbelief aside, he also recognised the 'enhanced sense of responsibility' now on his shoulders.

Other prominent people on the FT list include US President Barack Obama, Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao and German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

This article was first published in The Business Times.