ASEAN and the world

Singapore's Committee on the Future Economy (CFE) on February 9th outlined seven strategies for the country’s economic development to submit to Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.

Vietnamese Ambassador to Japan Nguyen Quoc Cuong and representatives of embassies of other ASEAN countries have attended a forum aimed to foster ties with the grouping.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is scheduled to visit the United States from February 9th to hold a summit with President Donald Trump in Washington.

On February 8th, the Senate has confirmed Sen. Jeff Sessions of Alabama as the next Attorney General.

Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo has been elected as the new President of Somalia.

Representatives from Lao and French enterprises gathered at a meeting in Vientiane on February 8th to discuss orientations for expanding trade and investment links between the two countries.

(CPV) - ADB approved USD3.7 billion in climate finance investments in 2016, according to recently released figures — marking a 42% boost from the USD2.6 billion reached in 2015.

On February 7th, Mr. Jovenel Moise was sworn in as Haiti’s 58th President for a five year term, opening a new chapter in the country's history after a long-running political crisis.

On February 7th, the US Senate has confirmed Ms. Betsy Devos as President Donald Trump’s Secretary of Education.

Mar-a-Lago Club in Florida is a high-level resort of U.S. President Donald Trump. It is called the “Winter White House”.

On February 6th, the Christian Social Union (CSU) – the Bavarian sister party to the Christian Democrats Union (CDU) agreed to pick Angela Merkel as the official candidate for Chancellor in a September 24th election.

Indonesia and the Republic of Korea launched their first High Working Level Strategic Dialogue in Jakarta, Indonesia on February 6th.

The presidential election in Singapore will be pushed back to September to avoid the campaigning period coinciding with National Day celebrations in August.

Over 100 people died in a series of avalanches triggered in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

On February 5th, the White House said President Donald Trump agreed to join a meeting of leaders of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) in Europe in May.

A road in the Thai province of Udon Thani has been named Thau Chin – the name that Vietnam’s President Ho Chi Minh used when he lived in Thailand 89 years ago.

(CPV) - ADB and the Government of Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR) signed an agreement for a USD12 million loan and grant package for a health security project on February 3rd 2017.

Stimulating bilateral tourism and education affiliations was the focal point of discussion between visiting Myanmar President U Htin Kyaw and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen at their talks on February 4th.

Stimulating bilateral tourism and education affiliations was the focal point of discussion between visiting Myanmar President U Htin Kyaw and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen at their talks on February 4th.

Indonesian authorities on February 4th said that at least seven people were killed offshore South Sulawesi, eastern Indonesia.

Laos will strive to reach a trade value of USD8.94 billion in 2017, said Minister of Planning and Investment Souphanh Keomixay.

Malaysians will spend less in 2017 due to increasing price and economic uncertainties, the local news website Freemalaysiatoday reported on February 3rd, quoting the latest HSBC Global Research.

The Indonesia Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) said Indonesia remains an attractive destination for investors, with tourism considered key contributor to investment growth.

(CPV) - ADB President Takehiko Nakao met with the President of Indonesia, Joko Widodo, on February 1st 2017 and expressed his confidence in the country’s economic prospects. He reiterated support for the government’s efforts to foster inclusive economic growth.

On February 1st, newly-appointed US Defence Secretary James Mattis began to visit the Republic of Korea (RoK).

On February 3rd, the Japanese Government appointed former Foreign Press Secretary Yasuhisa Kawamura as its new Ambassador to the United Nations.

Moscow is more than just the capital of Russia. It is one of the most visited places in the world today.

The Republican-led Senate has confirmed Rex Tillerson as the US Secretary of State.

Twenty-three Chinese tourists have been rescued after their boat sank off the eastern Malaysian state of Sabah, a local authority confirmed on January 29th.

Countries across Asia are beginning their Lunar New Year celebrations.