ASEAN and the world

(CPV) - Three development projects that best showcased ADB’s contribution to Asia and the Pacific were recognized at an awards ceremony.

The 13th ASEAN-India Economic Ministers Consultation Meeting took place in Vientiane, Laos, on August 6th, with ministers agreeing to push the implementation of the two sides’ agreements on investment, trade and services towards lifting ASEAN-India ties to a strategic partnership.

The Singaporean Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on August 5th said the state-city police and governmental agencies boosted measures to ensure security across the country, including border areas.

Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha said on August 5th that the general election will take place in 2017 as planned, no matter what the outcome of the August 7th referendum.

The free trade area (FTA) between the members of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) and the Association of the Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) will be established in the next three years.

The fifth consultation between economic chiefs of the ten ASEAN member countries and Russia took place in Vientiane, Laos on August 5th under the co-chair of Lao Minister of Industry and Trade Khemmany Pholsena and Russian Minister of Economic Development Alexey V.Uliukaev.

Economic ministers and deputy ministers from ASEAN and its eight partner countries reiterated the endeavours to accelerate economic integration in East Asia at the fourth East Asia Summit (EAS) Economic Ministers’ Meeting in Vientiane, Laos, on August 5th.

(CPV) - The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors has approved a new Environmental and Social Framework (ESF) that expands protections for people and the environment in Bank-financed investment projects.

The US National Hurricane Center said that tropical storm Earl has hit Central America's Caribbean coastline and is expected to strengthen further, Reuters reported.

On August 4th, newly-elected Nepali Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal sworn in as the 39th Prime Minister of Nepal.

(CPV) - ADB Board of Governors has unanimously reelected Takehiko Nakao as President of ADB for a further 5 years beginning on 24 November 2016.

The 21st Consultation Meeting between ASEAN Economic Ministers and Economic Ministers from Australia-New Zealand Closer Economic Relations (ASEAN-CER 21) took place in Vientiane, Laos on August 4th.

The 19th consultation between ASEAN economic ministers and ministers from ASEAN’s partner countries of China, Japan and the Republic of Korea (RoK) was held in Vientiane, Laos, on August 4th.

Malaysia has assumed the presidency of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for August. This is the second time Malaysia has taken up the role since its inclusion as a non-permanent member to the Council for the 2015-2016 term, the Malaysian Foreign Ministry said in a statement on August 3rd.

At least two killed and twenty missing after two buses plunged into a river when a road bridge gave way after torrential rain.

Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has appointed Ms. Tomomi Inada as Defence Minister.

The cooperation in industry between Indonesia and Switzerland has seen a significant growth since the establishment of the two countries’ diplomatic ties in 1952, Indonesia-based Antara News reported on August 3rd.

(CPV) - ADB and United Amara Bank (UAB) signed a trade finance agreement on August 3rd 2016 to provide guarantees of up to USD4 million a year to support trade in Myanmar.

The Speaker of the Nepalese Parliament Onsari Gharti has announced that a new Prime Minister would be elected on August 3rd.

Chinese media said about 35,000 were displaced when Typhoon Nida swept across Southern China.

Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton has extended her lead over Republican rival Donald Trump to eight percentage points, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll.

A total of 44 suspects were arrested during an enforcement operation against a syndicate involved in bringing in foreign workers for illegal employment, said the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) on August 2nd.

Malaysia’s Prime Minister Najib Razak and Indonesia’s President Joko Widodo have instructed their special envoys tasked with resolving overlapping maritime claims to intensify efforts, with each being given a fresh mandate to resolve the delimitation issue.

Australia will promote the conclusion of the Indonesia-Australia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IA-CEPA) during an upcoming visit to the Southeast Asian nation by Minister of Trade, Tourism and Investment Steven Ciobo.

(CPV) - ADB approved a USD25 million program on August 1st 2016 to help improve the climate for private sector investment in the Kyrgyz Republic, as part of the government’s efforts to diversify the economy.

The 48th ASEAN Economic Ministers’ Meeting (AEM 48) and related meetings will run from August 1st-6th in Vientiane, Laos, according to Director-General of Foreign Trade Policy Department at the Lao Ministry of Industry and Commerce Laohoua Cheuing.

At least 9,000 persons were displaced when tropical storm Nida, also called Carina, hit the Philippines, the state disaster management agency said.

Former Minister of Defence Yuriko Koike has been elected Governor of Tokyo, becoming the first woman to lead Japan's capital.

Health officials in Brazil said the risk of Zika virus infections at the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro is low and has been overcome.

Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong will make an official visit to the US from July 31st to August 5th, reported the Prime Minister’s Office.