This chapter addresses governance and offers a novel concept of “sound governance” in the age of increasing global complexities, challenges, threats, and opportunities that affect nation-states, local governments, citizens, organizations, and administrative systems, with implications for south and southeast Asia.. It argues for innovations in policy, governance, and administration as part of capacity building for the twenty-first century. Although the focus is on governance, it is administration that makes or breaks governance. The discussion in the paper is framed in four major sections, followed by a brief conclusion with several suggestions or lessons