ASEAN and the world

The US Department of State applauded the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) allowing inspectors into a key nuclear testing site that it has claimed blew up, signaling a step forward in Pyongyang's commitment to denuclearizing the Korean peninsula.

In 2018, American scientists have again ruled the Nobel Prizes. Following are the winners of the Prizes at the beginning of October.

The world’s largest Buddnist calligraphy of the Heart Sutra, drawn by Shoko Kanazawa, a 33 year-old calligrapher with Down’s syndrome, has attracted more than 40,000 people in Ryoun-ji Temple in central Japan.

The death toll from the strong quakes and subsequent tsunami that hit Indonesia’s Central Sulawesi province last month has risen to 2,045 as of October 10th.

An earthquake measuring 5.9 on the Richter scale struck Haiti on October 6th and killed at least 15 people, injured another 300 and destroyed 40 houses, according to the Caribbean country’s Civil Protection Agency.

The 2018 Nobel peace prize was presented to Denis Mukwege and Nadia Murad for their efforts to end the use of sexual violence as a weapon of war and armed conflict.

The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) and the US have agreed to hold the second summit “as soon as possible”, according to a statement by Republic of Korea (RoK)’s presidential office.

Far-right candidate Jair Bolsonaro has won the first round of Brazil’s presidential election.

(CPV) - ADB Vice-President Mr. Wencai Zhang affirmed ADB’s support for the Government of Pakistan’s new development and reform agenda during his 2-day visit to the country from October 4th to October 5th.

The international community continued to provide relief aid for Indonesia whose Central Sulawesi province was hardly hit by strong earthquakes and tsunami ten days ago.

(CPV) - ADB President Mr. Takehiko Nakao extended profound sympathies and condolences to the Indonesian people following the loss of lives and devastation caused by the recent earthquake and tsunami in central Sulawesi.

The work performed by Indonesian soldiers in support of the victims of the recent natural disasters has reflected the nature of a military of the people, a professional national military, Indonesian President Joko Widodo has said of the role of the armed force.

Indonesia announced on October 5th the death toll from a powerful earthquake and tsunami that struck the country’s Central Sulawesi province a week ago has swollen to 1,558.

A Republic of Korea (RoK) delegation visitrf Pyongyang, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), on October 4th, to attend the 11th anniversary celebration of the 2007 inter-Korean summit.

Vietnam’s permanent mission to the United Nations held a ceremony to pay tribute to former General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee Do Muoi on October 4th and opened a funeral book from October 4th through October 5th (New York time).

US State Department spokesperson Heather Neuert on October 2nd announced that Secretary of State Mike Pompeo would meet the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) leader Kim Jong-un on October 7th.

Prime Minister (PM) Nguyen Xuan Phuc presented USD100, 000 to Indonesian President Joko Widodo in relief aid to help the victims overcome the consequences of the recent earthquakes and tsunami during his visit to the country.

Iraq’s Parliament on October 2nd elected veteran politician Barham Salih as the new President of the country.

The United States (US) and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) will soon begin working-level talks in Vienna, Austria, to seek a "big deal" on denuclearization.

Specialists from the Republic of Korea (RoK) and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) on October 1st began removing mines and other explosives at the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ).

United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on October 1st arrived in New Delhi to start his maiden visit to India as the head of the world body.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has announced that US President Donald Trump was invited to visit Russia.

Top leaders of Vietnam on September 29th sent messages of sympathy to Indonesia leaders over the huge losses of life and property caused by the earthquakes and tsunami in Palu city, Central Sulawesi province.

First Vice President of the Cambodian Senate Nay Pena passed away at 13:00 on September 29th at the age of 74, according to a statement released by the Senate of Cambodia.

(CPV) - The Board of Directors of ADB has approved a USD41.18 million grant to rehabilitate and expand climate-resilient water supply and sanitation infrastructure to improve the delivery of urban services in the southeast area of Dushanbe. The project is ADB’s first urban sector project in Tajikistan.

Innovative Immunotherapy Alliance S.A is the first ever biotech joint venture established by Cuba and the United States (US).

The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) on September 27th supported the Republic of Korea (RoK)’s initiative to organize the first bilateral inter-parliamentary meeting before the end of the year.

(CPV) - The Board of Directors of ADB has approved a loan of USD130 million to improve access to community-managed water supply and sanitation in 20 urban municipalities of Nepal.

The 2nd summit between United States (US) President Donald Trump and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) leader Kim Jong-un could take place in October.

The Republic of Korea (RoK)’s Unification Minister Cho Myung-gyon on September 24th said the government will increase efforts to reconnect families separated for decades since the Korean War.