The Consulate General of the Republic of Korea (RoK) in the central city of Da Nang on November 24 held a conference on the expansion of investment cooperation between the RoK and central localities of Vietnam.

(CPV) - The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $200 million equivalent loan to strengthen the ecosystem, livelihoods, and climate resilience of the Dabie Mountain region in Huanggang Municipality, Hubei Province in the People’s Republic of China (PRC).

Thailand and China are co-hosting the 2023 Green Technology Expo in Bangkok from November 9-12 to strengthen cooperation and showcase achievements in climate change response and carbon neutrality.

The second edition of the Global Media Congress will take place at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC), Abu Dhabi, from November 14-16.

(CPV) - The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Global Environment Facility (GEF) have announced the establishment of Natural Capital Fund (NCF), which is a concessional fund designed to support projects that enhance food security while also protecting and restoring natural capital in ADB’s developing member countries (DMCs). GEF is supporting the NCF with an investment of $15 million.

(CPV) - The Asia-Pacific region is lurching towards an era of unmet aspirations, worsening inequalities, and a steady erosion of democratic spaces. Rising global tensions, new technologies, growing polarization, and existential threats linked to climate change threaten to disrupt improvements in well-being the region has seen in past decades, says a new report from the United Nations Development Programme.

Cambodia welcomed 3.92 million international tourist arrivals during the first nine months of 2023, surging 211% year on year, the country’s Ministry of Tourism said on November 3.

The Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs in coordination with the Embassy of the Republic of Korea (RoK) organised the ASEAN-RoK Strategic Forum in Hanoi on November 1.

Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the United Nations (UN), expressed great concern at the current escalating situation in the Middle East and extended his deep condolences to the families of victims of recent attacks while addressing the UN General Assembly’s 10th Emergency Special Session held in New York on October 26-27.

(CPV) - Micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), which played a key role in promoting recovery in Samoa during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, need policy and data support to boost their role as drivers of growth, according to a report by the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

Malaysia's royalty on October 27 chose Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar from the southern state of Johor to be the country's next King.

(CPV) - The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $160 million equivalent loan to improve inclusive, green, and sustainable urban–rural public services in Shanxi Province, the People’s Republic of China (PRC).

Lao cities and provinces recently destroyed tens of tonnes of drugs along with various related items that law enforcement agencies had previously seized, in response to the National Anti-Drug Day in the country (October 12).

The Chinese army will send troops to Yogyakarta, Indonesia, to participate in the live exercises held by the Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) Experts' Working Group (EWG) of the (ADMM-Plus) from October 14 -21.

(CPV) - The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has been awarded a contract as transaction advisor to help the Philippines Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corporation (PSALM) to monetize the Caliraya–Botocan–Kalayaan (CBK) hydroelectric power plant complex and enhance energy security in the country’s main island of Luzon.

(CPV) - The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $300 million policy-based loan to support the Philippine government in creating a stronger institutional and policy environment to help expand Filipinos’ access to financial services, particularly the vulnerable segment of the population, and to promote economic growth.

The Belgian Chamber of Representatives on October 5 evening (local time) passed a resolution in support of the Agent Orange (AO)/dioxin victims in Vietnam, with absolute approval votes.

(CPV) - The Asian Development Bank (ADB) approved capital management reforms on September 29th 2023 that unlock $100 billion in new funding capacity over the next decade to address the region’s overlapping, simultaneous crises. The expansion of available funds will be further leveraged through mobilizing private and domestic capital to move from the billions to trillions required to tackle the climate crisis.

Prime Minister of Cambodia Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet on September 29 requested leaders of provinces pay attention to supporting flood-hit people as widespread heavy rains have triggered floods in many localities on recent days.

The proportion of citizens aged 65 and above in Singapore has increased from 11.7% in 2013 to 19.1% this year, according to the country’s annual Population in Brief report released on September 29.

The ASEAN-Australia High-Level Dialogue on Climate Change and Energy Transition took place in Hanoi on September 29.

(CPV) - The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has appointed Bhargav Dasgupta as Vice-President (Market Solutions) for a period of 3 years. He will be responsible for management of the operations of ADB’s Private Sector Operations Department and Office of Markets Development and Public–Private Partnerships.

(CPV) - The Asian Development Bank (ADB) approved a $100 million policy-based concessional loan on September 22nd 2023 to strengthen the country’s fiscal management and to promote decentralization.

(CPV) - Governments and central banks in emerging East Asia need to stay vigilant to guard against potential financial risk associated with higher interest rates, according to a report by the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

Thailand has set a new target of earning 3 trillion THB (about 85 billion USD) from international visitors and turning the country into a sports and entertainment centre, according to Minister of Tourism and Sports Sudawan Wangsuphakijkosol.

Indonesian President Joko Widodo and Chinese Premier Li Qiang discussed ways to boost bilateral trade and investment ties at their meeting in Jakarta, Indonesia, on September 8, following the 43rd ASEAN Summit and Related Summits.

(CPV) - The global trade finance gap grew to a record $2.5 trillion in 2022 from $1.7 trillion two years earlier, as rising interest rates, flagging economic prospects, inflation, and geopolitical volatility reduced the capacity of banks to deliver trade financing, according to the 2023 Trade Finance Gaps, Growth and Jobs Survey released today by the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and Deutsche Bank have signed a risk participation agreement to enhance access to financing for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Asia and the Pacific. The agreement was signed between ADB’s Trade and Supply Chain Finance Program (TSCFP) and Deutsche Bank AG through its Singapore branch.

Ambassador Vu Ho, head of SOM ASEAN Vietnam, attended the ASEAN Senior Officials’ Meeting in Jakarta, Indonesia on September 3 to review preparations for the 43rd ASEAN Summit and related meetings.

Tharman Shanmugaratnam will become the ninth President of Singapore after winning 70.4% of votes in the September 1 election.