ASEAN and the world

Indonesia’s 2018 crude palm oil output is set to climb by 4-6 million tonnes from last year to 40-42 million tonnes, said an official from an industry association.

(CPV) - ADB Vice-President Mr. Stephen Groff joined the Prime Minister of Vanuatu Mr. Charlot Salwai in inaugurating ADB’s Extended Mission in Vanuatu on August 28th 2018.

Negotiations for the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) have reached a “critical stage” and a conclusion is “finally in sight”, said Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on August 29th.

(CPV) - ADB and the Government of India today signed a USD375 million loan agreement to contribute to double farming incomes in Madhya Pradesh by expanding irrigation networks and system efficiency.

(CPV) - ADB President Mr. Takehiko Nakao and People’s Republic of China (PRC) Minister of Finance (MOF) and ADB Governor Mr. Liu Kun met during Mr. Nakao’s 2-day visit to the PRC, in which he reaffirmed ADB’s support for the country’s development priorities.

Emmerson Manangagwa was officially sworn in at the National Stadium in Harare as president of Zimbabwe, one month after a historic election.

A number of US and international political leaders sent their deepest condolences to the family of Senator John McCain who passed away on August 25th (US time), 81.

Senator John McCain, who helped lay the foundation for a cooperative Vietnam-US relationship, passed away on August 25th (US time) at the age of 81.

Spokesperson for the United Nations (UN), Stephane Dujaric, on August 23rd announced that Secretary-General Antonio Guterres will make a four-day trip to China, starting on September 1st.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on August 23rd named Stephen Biegun, the Ford Motor Co executive, to be the new special envoy for the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK).

Australian Finance Minister Scott Morrison has been elected as leader of the Liberal Party and will become the country’s 30th Prime Minister.

The Republic of Korea (RoK)’s exports to 10 members of the Association of Southeast Asian nations (ASEAN) in the first half of 2018 gained 5.9 percent to USD48.93 billion, making the bloc its second-largest export market.

US President Donald Trump and Japanese Prime Minister (PM) Shinzo Abe on August 22nd said they look forward to meeting on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York in September.

This year, the first International day of remembrance of and tribute to victims of terrorism (August 21st) pays tribute to victims and survivors of terrorist attacks around the world.

The World Economic Forum on ASEAN (WEF ASEAN) 2018 will take place in Hanoi from September 11th-13th under the theme “ASEAN 4.0: Entrepreneurship and the Fourth Industrial Revolution”.

The first session of the 21st set of reunions for families separated by the Korean War (1950 - 1953) took place from August 20th - 22nd.

The Ebola outbreak in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has claimed 55 lives since early August.

The United Nations (UN) will hold events to pay tribute to former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan who died on August 18th at the age of 80.

Canadian Prime Minister (PM) Justin Trudeau announced on August 19th that he will run for re-election in 2019.

Senior officials from Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam (CLMTV) convened their fourth meeting on labour cooperation in Hanoi on August 20th, discussing social insurance connection for migrant workers in countries involved.

(CPV) - ADB's Board of Directors has approved a USD300 million policy-based loan to support the Philippines’ efforts to strengthen the framework under which the private sector can participate in the government’s “Build, Build, Build” (BBB) infrastructure development program.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has appointed Senior Policy Adviser Brian Hook as the Special Representative for Iran.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will leave Washington for a trip to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), US National Security Advisor John Bolston said on August 19th.

Ghanaian President Nana AKufo-Addo on August 19th announced a week of mourning to pay homage to former United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Kofi Annan.

The Australian Government has called on the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and China to negotiate a Code of Conduct (COC) in the East Sea without prejudice to the rights and interests of third-party states in the strategic waters.

(CPV) - A fleet of 17 new high-tech, low-emission buses to help reduce congestion and pollution in the capital city of Kathmandu has been rolled out as part of a project funded by ADB.

Kofi Annan, one of the world's most celebrated diplomats and a charismatic symbol of the United Nations, has died at age 80.

Mario Abdo Benitez has been sworn in as the new president of Paraguay after defeating his liberal rival, Efrain Alegre in April elections.

At least 22 primary school children and a teacher drowned on August 15th when a boat carrying more than 40 people sank while crossing the Nile in northern Sudan, according to the state news agency SUNA.

Singapore and Malaysia have held an important discussion on the high-speed rail (HSR) project connecting Singapore and Kuala Lumpur, according to the Singaporean Ministry of Transport.