ASEAN and the world

Several countries in Southeast Asia continued to witness new records in the numbers of new COVID-19 cases and related deaths on July 10.

The ASEAN-New Zealand Joint Cooperation Committee virtually convened its 9th meeting on July 9, during which the sides reiterated their commitment to deepening their strategic partnership.

The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) and the Bank of France (BdF) on July 8 announced the successful completion of a wholesale cross-border payment and settlement experiment using central bank digital currency (CBDC).

(CPV) - BioNTech SE and Siemens intend to expand their strategic cooperation. The companies plan to intensify their collaboration for the rapid expansion and creation of production capacity for the Covid-19 vaccine.

(CPV) - Over 140 innovators joined the United Nations Development Programme’s (UNDP) innovation challenge to combat plastic pollution in the Asia-Pacific region. From the group of innovators, 18 finalists were selected from seven countries – Indonesia, the Philippines, Singapore, Cambodia, Viet Nam, Malaysia, and Thailand.

Russian Security Council Secretary Nikolai Patrushev will attend a video consultation with his counterparts from ASEAN member states on June 28, said the Russian Security Council press service.

Japan ratified the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) Agreement on June 25, the country’s Foreign Ministry said.

(CPV) - The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a USD25 million grant to help the Government of Tajikistan procure and deploy coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccines and strengthen the country’s capacity to implement its vaccination program.

(CPV) - Bond yields in emerging East Asia diverged due to market-specific factors, while uncertainty about the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic and concerns over inflationary pressure led to subdued investor sentiment, according to the latest issue of the Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) Asia Bond Monitor.

(CPV) - The Asian Development Bank (ADB) on June 22nd 2021 approved a loan package of $940 million for the Government of Bangladesh to purchase safe and effective vaccines against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

(CPV) - The Asian Development Bank (ADB) on June 18th 2021 approved a USD250 million policy-based loan to the Government of Bangladesh to help finance reforms aimed at improving the inclusiveness and responsiveness of the country’s social development and resilience program.

(CPV) - The Asia and the Pacific region can emerge from the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic “even stronger than before” by focusing on five areas to help achieve a prosperous, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable future, Asian Development Bank (ADB) President Masatsugu Asakawa said in remarks to the ADB Board of Governors at its 54th Annual Meeting on June 5th 2021.

(CPV) - The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Republic of Korea on June 6th 2021 signed a memorandum of understanding earmarking USD700 million in cofinancing from the Republic of Korea for ADB sovereign development projects over the next 3 years.

(CPV) - The EU must put a stronger focus on the most important growth region and diversify its economic relations with the region through a flexible and assertive foreign economic policy.

(CPV) - “Gaza’s one million children are reeling from the mounting consequences of violent conflict with nowhere safe to turn. Lives have been lost, and families shattered," said UNICEF Executive Director Henrietta Fore on May 18th 2021.

(CPV) - “The COVAX Facility – the global COVID vaccine equity scheme – will deliver its 65 millionth dose in the coming days. It should have been at least its 170 millionth. By the time G7 leaders gather in the UK next month, and as a deadly second wave of COVID-19 will likely continue to sweep across India and many of its South Asian neighbours, the shortfall will near 190 million doses.

(CPV) - The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Indonesian National Coordinating Team for Marine Debris Handling Secretariat, Indonesian Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs and Investment and the Archipelagic Island States Forum, the Philippines’ Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the local government of Samal Island (the Philippines) and Mandalika, Lombok Island (Ind

Malaysia and Indonesia on May 15 called on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to intervene and stop Israel's strikes on the Gaza Strip, as the conflict between Israeli forces and Palestinian militants raged on.

The Second ASEAN Sectoral Bodies and the Stakeholders Consultative Workshops on the Consolidated Strategy on the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) for ASEAN took place on April 27 and 29, respectively, via videoconference.

The ASEAN Committee in Prague (ACP) on April 26 presented foods to the Czech Federation of Food Banks to help citizens affected by COVID-19 pandemic in the Czech Republic.

(CPV) - Green and social finance must be nurtured to ensure that Asia and the Pacific's recovery from the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic is inclusive, resilient, and sustainable, according to Asian Development Outlook (ADO) 2021, released by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) on April 28th 2021.

(CPV) - Economic growth in developing Asia is set to rebound to 7.3% this year, supported by a healthy global recovery and early progress on coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccines, according to a new report from the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

ASEAN leaders sat down together in Jarkata on April 24 to mull over the Myanmar situation.

Up to 4,382 police officers have been deployed by Indonesia to ensure security for the ASEAN Leaders’ Meeting slated for April 24.

(CPV) - Asian Development Bank (ADB) President Masatsugu Asakawa in a call on April 14 with Agence Française de Développement Group (AFD) Chief Executive Officer Rémy Rioux reaffirmed the importance of collaboration between the two institutions, particularly on key issues such as climate change and aspirations for COP26.

Singapore ratified the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and deposited its ratification instrument on April 9, becoming the first participating country to complete the ratification process for the deal.

Indonesia and China are planning to triple bilateral trade from 31 billion USD to 100 billion USD in the next three years, Indonesian Trade Minister M Lutfi has said.

Thailand is on course to become the world’s largest durian producer over the next five years, however, it is at risk of losing out to neighbouring exporters of the king of fruit, experts have warned.

Many countries in the world have showed serious concerns over China’s recent deployment of over 200 ships around Sinh Ton island cluster in Vietnam’s Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelago and requested the country to immediately bring these vessels out of the area and end all provocations.

(CPV) - Digital transformation and renewed regional cooperation in Asia and the Pacific can spur the region’s equitable, sustainable, and resilient recovery from the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic and deliver progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), according to a new report.