ASEAN and the world

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.

(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.

(CPV) - The Asian Development Bank (ADB) approved a $400 million concessional loan on July 26th 2024 to support the reconstruction of houses and community infrastructure in Pakistan’s Sindh province damaged by the devastating floods in 2022.

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) recently dropped another hint that they might try to strike a trade pact with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) as the former tries to boost its trade with partners outside the region.

Malaysia's economy is anticipated to have expanded at a faster pace in the second quarter than the first, government advance estimates showed on July 19, though some analysts expect momentum to slow down due higher inflation and weak domestic spending.

Three Indonesians and two Australian nationals survived after a tourist helicopter crashed on Indonesian island of Bali on July 19.

(CPV) - The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has slightly raised its economic growth forecast for developing Asia and the Pacific this year to 5.0% from a previous projection of 4.9%, as rising regional exports complement resilient domestic demand. The growth outlook for next year is maintained at 4.9%.

The cooperation between Japan and Vietnam is spotlighted in Japan’s new defense white paper 2024 released on July 12.

Indonesia’s government will include power wheeling in its renewable energy bill, which will allow private companies to sell electricity directly to consumer through transmission owned by state-run electricity company PLN.

Thailand’s National Health Security Office (NHSO) has approved an increase in funding for dependents from 6,000 THB (162 USD) to 10,442 THB per person per year.

(CPV) - Alternō, a promising climate tech start-up in Viet Nam, focused on pioneering sustainable solutions that significantly reduce carbon emissions in the agriculture, industry, and residential heating sectors​​, showcased their innovative solutions at the regional Youth Co:Lab Summit 2024, in the Philippines.

Malayan Banking Bhd (Maybank) plans to double its assets in Vietnam to 2 billion USD by 2027, becoming the leading foreign bank in terms of syndicated loans to capitalise on a booming economy, according to foreign media.