ASEAN and the world

On June 6th, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo met his Japanese counterpart Taro Kono who is paying a visit to the country.

White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders has announced the US and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) Summit will be set at the Capella Hotel in Singapore’s Sentosa island on June 12th.

On June 5th, Ecuador’s Foreign Minister Maria Fernanda Espinosa was elected President of the 73rd United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).

On June 5th, the Singapore Mint unveiled commemorative medallions carrying the inscription “World Peace” ahead of the summit between US President Donald Trump and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK)’s leader Kim Jong-un.

The death toll from the devastating eruption of Guatemala’s volcano of fire has risen to at least 69 and is expected to rise.

The White House announced that the Summit between the US and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK)’s will take place on June 12th in Singapore at 09h00.

Russian President Vladimir Putin on June 5th arrived in Vienna, Austria for his first visit to a Western European country since his re-election earlier this year.

The Thai Rice Exporters Association (TREA) has revised its 2018 rice export target to 10 million tonnes from the previous forecast of 9.5 million tonnes, after exports of the grain for the first four months of this year performed better than expected.

Singapore on June 5th added its southern resort island of Sentosa to a “special event area” designated for the upcoming summit between US President Donald Trump and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK)’s leader Kim Jong Un.

Mr. No Kwang-chol has been appointed as the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK)’s Defence Minister ahead of the Summit between US President Donald Trump and leader Kim Jong-un.

The US and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) have held a fourth round of working-level talks in preparation for their Summit this month.

The 17th Shangri-La Dialogue closed in Singapore on June 3rd after three days of sitting, featuring five plenary meetings and four simultaneous sessions.

(CPV) - ADB's Board of Directors has approved a total financing package of USD195 million to support the delivery of accessible, affordable, and high-quality health services in Papua New Guinea (PNG).

Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa has announced elections will be held on July 30th.

The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK)’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Ri Yong-ho and his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov on May 31st held a meeting at the headquarter of the Supreme People’s Assembly in Pyongyang.

(CPV) - ADB's Board of Directors has approved a USD375 million loan for a project that will contribute to doubling farming incomes in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh by expanding irrigation networks and system efficiency.

Storms and lightning across a swathe of northern India have killed at least 47 people.

Officials of the US and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) on May 29th met in Singapore to prepare for the upcoming Summit between US President Donald Trump and DPRK’s leader Kim Jong-un on June 12th.

(CPV) - Results management and independent evaluation must work hand in hand for international financial institutions (IFIs) to improve their performance and deliver significant development results on the ground, according to participants at a high-level meeting held today at ADB headquarters.

The Japanese press has highlighted the official State visit by President Tran Dai Quang and his spouse to Japan on the occasion of the 45th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties.

The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) has said that the Bang Sue Grand Station of Bangkok, the largest of its kind in Southeast Asia, is expected to open to public in the third quarter of 2020.

Russian President Vladimir Putin will conduct the annual special Direct Line on June 7th, the Kremlin said on May 27th.

The Republic of Korea (RoK)’s President Moon Jae-in on May 27th said the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK)’s leader Kim Jong-un reiterated his commitment to the “denuclearization of the Korean peninsula” and to a meeting with US President Donald Trump on June 12th.

Malaysia’s Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad has announced that his administration is taking various approaches to reduce the national debt from RM1 trillion (USD251.2 billion) to RM800 billion, including dissolution of some agencies, the News Straits Times reported on May 27th.

Economies in the ASEAN+3 region should enhance their connectivity, boost the service sector and develop skilled human resources in order to meet the world’s demands, heard a seminar in Hanoi on May 25th.

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on May 24th was sworn in for second six-year term.

Prince William will pay an official five-day visit to Israel and Palestinian territories at the end of June.

Italy’s President Sergio Mattarella officially on May 23rd approved Mr. Giuseppe Conte as the Prime Minister of the country, the Secretary of the presidential palace said.

Russian President Vladimir Putin on May 24th appointed former Deputy Prime Minister (PM) Dmirtry Rogozin as General Director of Roscosmos State Space Corporation.

The 2018 Pirab-Jabiru peacekeeping exercise between armies of Thailand and Australia is taking place in Thailand’s Chon Buri province to mark 20 years of the two countries’ regional engagement and commitment to peace maintenance.