ASEAN and the world

The Philippines’ rice imports so far this year have surpassed last year's level and can hit 4.2 million metric tonnes (MT) by the end of 2024, Department of Agriculture (DA) technical advisory group member and former undersecretary for rice industry development Leocadio Sebastian said.

Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki in eastern Indonesia on November 8 continued to spewing a 8,000-m high column of hot ash in an eruption that has lasted nearly a week.

(CPV) - New Asian Development Bank (ADB) research finds the impacts of climate change could reduce gross domestic product (GDP) in developing Asia and the Pacific by 17% by 2070 under a high end greenhouse gas emissions scenario, rising to 41% by 2100.

The death toll from Typhoon Trami has risen to 65 as of October 25 in the aftermath of severe flooding and landslides in the northwestern Philippines.

(CPV) - The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has published a comprehensive report detailing its sovereign default and loss rates over a 34-year period. This report is made in keeping with ADB’s commitment to data transparency and shows the remarkable credit performance of loans to its developing member countries (DMCs).

(CPV) - On October 11th 2024, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Government of Papua New Guinea (PNG) agreed on a timebound action plan to accelerate the implementation and improve the performance of ADB-financed projects at the 2024 Country Portfolio Review Mission Roundtable Meeting.

(CPV) - Coherent national strategies that develop talent and expand digital creative industries can help developing countries tap into the global creative economy, generating high-quality jobs that contribute to economic growth, according to a new report published on October 8th 2024 by the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

Over 100 elephants have been evacuated from a popular elephant sanctuary in northern Thailand amid heavy flooding.

Lao authorities are ramping up security for the 44th and 45th ASEAN Summits and related meetings scheduled to take place in Vientiane from October 8-11.

Indonesia and the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) have jointly launched an agriculture revitalisation programme to create youth-driven agricultural innovation for national food security in the country.

(CPV) - The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has signed an agreement with the International Finance Facility for Education (IFFEd) that will enable at least $500 million in new concessional education funding for lower middle-income countries (LMICs) in Asia and the Pacific.

Malaysia on September 20 launched its National Guidelines on Artificial Intelligence Governance and Ethics (AIGE) to establish a robust framework for users, policymakers, and AI technology providers to ensure adherence to the highest ethical standards.

(CPV) - The Asian Development Bank (ADB) launched a new country partnership strategy (CPS) on September 13th 2024 for Bhutan aimed at helping the country address economic obstacles and enabling inclusive, sustainable, resilient, and job-creating growth.

(CPV) - The Asian Development Bank (ADB) joined the Government of Vanuatu in a groundbreaking ceremony on September 7th 2024 to start the construction of a multipurpose emergency shelter—a key component of the Greater Port Vila Urban Resilience Project.

(CPV) - The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved an ambitious new road map to guide its evolution and scale up its support on key challenges facing Asia and the Pacific, including accelerated efforts to combat climate change and expand private sector development.

Flooding continued to afflict four northern provinces of Chiang Rai, Phitsanulok, Sukhothai, and Nong Khai of Thailand on September 1, according to Director-General of the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Chaiwat Chuntirapong.

(CPV) - Policy makers in Asia and the Pacific are struggling to collect and analyze the data they need to effectively respond to climate change, hampering efforts in a region considered the world’s most vulnerable to the effects of a warming planet.

Singapore is looking to Australia's deserts and Malaysia's rainforests for clean power.

Thai Foreign Minister on August 23 announced that Thailand has postponed its hosting of the sixth summit of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation ( BIMSTEC) until a new government is formed in the country.

The Mekong-Lancang Cooperation (MLC) mechanism has brought significant benefits to its member countries, said Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Sok Chenda Sophea has affirmed that.

(CPV) - The Asian Development Bank (ADB) priced a $3.5 billion 5-year global benchmark bond, proceeds of which will be part of ADB’s ordinary capital resources on August 22nd 2024.

The 3rd ASEAN Women Leaders' Summit, themed “Strengthening care economy and resilience towards ASEAN Community post-2025,” took place in Vientiane, Laos on August 23.

(CPV) - Policy makers in Asia and the Pacific are struggling to collect and analyze the data they need to effectively respond to climate change, hampering efforts in a region considered the world’s most vulnerable to the effects of a warming planet.

Japan will coordinate with Southeast Asian countries and Australia on policies that reduce carbon emissions in a region that is particularly reliant on fossil fuels, according to Nikkei Asia.

The 2nd Indonesia-Africa Forum, scheduled to take place on September 1 - 3 in Bali, is set to discuss the strengthening of cooperation for development in Africa.

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim on August 16 announced a salary hike of 15% for civil servants in the implementation, management and professional category and 7% for those in the top management category.

An event themed "Smile of Cambodia" was officially launched at the iconic Angkor Wat temple in Cambodia's northwestern province of Siem Reap on August 15, aiming to introduce arts and cultural heritage to tourists.

(CPV) - The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has invested $15 million as an anchor investor in a 3-year sustainability bond issuance by Joint Stock Company BasisBank (BasisBank). The bond is the first certified sustainability bond issued by a commercial bank in the Georgian Stock Exchange and will finance green and social sector projects.

An event was held to mark ASEAN Day 2024 by the Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs under the US Department of State (DOS) and the ASEAN Committee in Washington at the US-ASEAN Centre in Washington D.C on August 8.

(CPV) - The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved two policy-based loans totaling $400 million that support the Government of Uzbekistan’s initiatives to enhance the country’s financial markets and develop a sustainable, market-led power sector.