ASEAN and the world

Bulgaria’s ancient town of Plovdiv on January 12th officially launched its year as the European Capital Culture under the motto: “We Are All Colours”.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) will host Thailand Tourism Festival 2019 from January 23rd to 27th at Lumpini Park, Bangkok.

The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) will hold nationwide elections to its Supreme People’s Assembly (SPA) on March 10th, according to the country’s Korean Central News Agency.

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has been sworn in for his second six-year term.

Romania on January 10th officially took over the rotating chairmanship of the Council of the European Union (EU) from Austria.

Japanese Prime Minister (PM) Shinzo Abe on January 9th left Tokyo for a trip to the Netherlands and Britain to lay the groundwork for the Group of 20 summit that will be held in Japan for the first time.

(CPV) - 2018 is a special for Indonesia and Vietnam bilateral relations. The President of the Republic of Indonesia H.E. Mr. Joko Widodo paid a state visit to Hanoi from September 11th - 12th, 2018 and attended the World Economic Forum (WEF) on ASEAN.

Louvre, the most visited museum in the world, welcomed more than 10 million visitors in 2018, an unprecedented figure for an international museum, according to its management.

The Republic of Korea (RoK)’s President Moon Jae-in on January 8th replaced his Chief of Staff and two other senior secretaries to aim at raising approval ratings amid economic woes and spy scandal.

(CPV) - ADB President Mr. Takehiko Nakao and Samoa Prime Minister Tuilaepa Lupesoliai Sailele Malielegaoi met on January 8th 2019 to examine opportunities for expanded collaboration and sign an agreement establishing a permanent ADB office in Samoa. Mr. Nakao also met Minister for Finance and ADB Governor Sili Epa Tuioti during his first official visit to Samoa.

Malaysia’s Council of Rulers announced their decision on January 7th that they will meet to choose a successor to King Muhammad V and a deputy on January 24th.

Thousands of Cambodian people, along with officials of ministries and sectors of the Royal Government of Cambodia, gathered at a ceremony in Phnom Penh on January 7th to mark the 40th anniversary of the victory over the genocidal regime.

The Republic of Korea (RoK)’s President Moon Jae-in has announced that he will hold a press conference this week to address his administration's policy objectives for the New Year.

The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK)’s leader Kim Jong-un arrived in China on January 7th for a four-day visit at the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jin-ping.

President Donald Trump on January 6th announced that the negotiations for the 2nd summit between the United States (US) and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) were underway.

The Malaysian Government is planning to build one million units of affordable homes within the next 10 years as part of its efforts to help more people, especially low-income earners, to own homes.

The death toll in a powerful storm that triggered landslides and flash floods in the Philippines has risen to 126, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said on January 6th.

The Indonesian economic growth in 2018 is estimated to reach 5.15 percent, falling short of the target of 5.4 percent set in the state budget.

Chiang Mai, northern Thailand, is making preparations to host an informal meeting of ASEAN Foreign Ministers this month.

Mr. Jair Bolsonaro, a former army captain and seven-term congressman, has been sworn in as Brazil’s 42nd President.

Chinese President Xi Jin-ping and US President Donald Trump on January 1st exchanged congratulations on the 40th anniversary of the establishment of China - US diplomatic relations.

US President Donald Trump on January 2nd said he looks forward to a second summit with the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK)’s leader Kim Jong-un.

The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK)’s leader Kim Jong-un has sent a rare personal letter to his Republic of Korea (RoK) counterpart, President Moon Jae-in, calling for more peace talks between the leaders in the new year following their active engagement in 2018.

The 2019 Presidential election campaign started in Ukraine on December 31st, 2018.

Singapore’s economy likely maintained a steady pace of growth in the fourth quarter as the manufacturing sector outperformed forecasts, but US-China trade tensions could slow the momentum in 2019.

Thailand on January 1st started its role as the rotating Chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in 2019.

The 11-member Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) officially came into force on December 30th, creating a free trade area covering more than a tenth of the global economy.

Indonesian authorities ordered massive evacuations on December 28th in residential areas from the coast along Sunda Strait following a warning of a possible second tsunami triggered by the eruption of Anak Krakatau volcano.

Madagascar’s Independent National Election Commission (INEC) on December 27th announced the victory of former President Andry Rajoelina in the second round of the Presidential election.

(CPV) – The year of 2018 is closing after many events in the fields of economics, politics, foreign and military affairs that influence countries and regions around the world. Following are the 10 most significant world events as chosen by the Communist Party of Vietnam Online Newspaper: