ASEAN and the world

The Thai government has launched a joint investment programme with the private sector to develop a digital park in the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) to promote investment in high-tech and innovative industries.

The Economist Intelligence Unit’s 2018 listing has ranked the Austrian city of Vienna as the world’s most liveable city.

The US Department of State on August 14th announced the Republic of Korea (RoK)’s Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha had a phone call with her US counterpart Mike Pompeo.

US Secretary of Defense James Mattis on August 12th embarked on his first diplomatic visit to South America, Pentagon officials announced.

Cuba on August 13th began debate on the Constitutional draft in a series of public forums, which will present their conclusions to lawmakers.

Thailand’s investment drive will focus on three aspects of the country’s agenda – national competitiveness, a reduction in income disparity, and sustainability, Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak has said.

(CPV) - ADB Vice-President Mr. Wencai Zhang on August 13th met with the Prime Minister of the Republic of Tajikistan Mr. Kohir Rasulzoda, First Deputy Prime Minister and ADB Governor Mr. Davlatali Said, Economic Development and Trade Minister and ADB Alternate Governor Mr. Nematullo Khikmatullozoda and other senior government officials in Dushanbe.

The death toll from an earthquake that struck Lombok Island of Indonesia on August 5th has exceeded 430, while economic losses are estimated at over USD340 million as of August 13th.

The Republic of Korea (RoK) and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) have agreed to hold the 3rd summit in Pyongyang in September.

(CPV) - Over 400 youth representatives from Asia and the Pacific launched the Incheon Youth Declaration on the Future of Work, which calls upon the international community to invest in more inclusive, large-scale, and market-relevant solutions for youth employment and entrepreneurship.

China and Japan on August 12th exchanged congratulatory messages to mark the 40th anniversary of their Peace and Friendship Treaty, amid thawing their relations.

Thailand’s Ministry of Labour announced that Thailand will host WorldSkills ASEAN Bangkok 2018 from August 31st to September 2nd.

Indonesia authorities on August 12th announced that a plane carrying seven passengers and two crew members crashed at remote mountainous area in the eastern part of the country, killing eight people.

The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK)'s press on August 9th called on the US to end the “military confrontation” between Pyongyang and Washington.

The 73rd anniversary ceremony of the US. atomic bombing took place on August 9th at Nagasaki Peace Park.

An Ebola vaccination campaign began on August 8th for the latest outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

The Electoral Tribunal of Federal Judiciary of Mexico (TEPJF) on August 8th declared Mr. Lopez Obrador Mexico’s next President at a ceremony in the capital.

Thailand’s economy grew 4.8 percent in the second quarter of this year, higher than that of the first quarter and the highest level in five years, according to a report from the Bank of Thailand (BoT).

(CPV) - ADB President Mr. Takehiko Nakao and Financial Supervisory Service of Korea (FSS) Governor Mr. Suk Heun Yoon, along with FSS’s International Cooperation Department (ICD) Director General Mr. Se Hee Lim met on August 6th 2018 at ADB headquarters in Manila.

Colombia’s President-elect Ivan Duque was sworn on August 7th in as the country’s President, succeeding Juan Manuel Santos, who had been in power since 2010.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres on August 8th discussed how to reach the goal of denuclarization in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK).

An earthquake measuring 7 on the Richter scale has hit the Indonesian island of Lombok, claiming at least 91 lives and injured an additional 236 people.

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Parliamentary Committee on August 6th officially nominated Party Chairman Imran Khan as Prime Minister.

Authorities have detained six people suspected of using explosive-laden drones in a failed bid to assassinate Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, officials said on August 6th.

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)’s Ministry of Health declared another outbreak of Ebola in the eastern region of the country.

The 8th East Asia Summit (EAS) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, which was held in Singapore on August 4th, agreed that maritime cooperation will be one of the focuses the EAS nations are going to promote in the time ahead.

Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi has proposed three principles for the future development of the East Asia Summit (EAS).

The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) Foreign Minister Ri Yong-ho arrived in Singapore to attend the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), which convened on August 4th.

The Republic of Korea (RoK) President Moon Jae-in was invited to visit Japan by Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono, as the two countries have been trying to promote “future-oriented” relations.

The 8th East Asia Summit (EAS) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, which was held in Singapore on August 4th, agreed that maritime cooperation will be one of the focuses the EAS nations are going to promote in the time ahead.