ASEAN and the world

(CPV) - Efforts to support private sector development should be stepped up to boost Vanuatu’s economy, with growth expected to moderate to 3.2% in 2018 and 3.0% in 2019, says a new Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) report.

Kenya’s President Uhuru Kenyatta on April 16th begins an official visit to the United Kingdom (UK) for five days.

Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono on April 15th met with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi, and the two diplomats agreed to promote mutual visits by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Chinese President Xi Jin-ping.

The Republic of Korea (RoK)’s preparation committee for the inter-Korean summit on April 15th announced a website to livestream the meeting which is scheduled to open on April 17th.

Indonesia and China have signed five cooperation contracts worth USD23.3 billion under the Silk Road Economic Belt and 21st Century Maritime Silk Road initiatives, according to Indonesia’s Antara news agency.

The Angkor Songkran festival in celebration of Cambodia’s traditional New Year festival Chol Chnam Thmay kicked off in Angkor Wat relic site, the Cambodian province of Siem Reap on April 13th.

Singapore has decided to tighten its monetary policy for the first time in six years as part of efforts to cope with risks of global trade tension, local authorities announced on April 13th.

Algeria’s President Bouteflika announced three days of state funeral after a deadly military plane crash which killed at least 257 people.

The World’s premiere conference (Adaptation Futures) 2018 will be held in South Africa from June 18th - 21st.

New US National Security Adviser John Bolton on April 12th met with Mr. Chung Eui-yong, the Republic of Korea (RoK)’s National Security Adviser, and Secretary General of the National Security Secretariat Shotaro Yachi of Japan.

(CPV) - ADB Vice-President Wencai Zhang met with the Prime Minister of Nepal K. P. Sharma Oli during a 2-day visit to the country. Mr. Zhang reiterated ADB’s support for the government’s development agenda as the country transitions to a federal system of governance.

Thai Commerce Minister Sontirat Sontijiwarong left for the UK on April 10th to discuss how both sides can cooperate to promote bilateral trade.

Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev has been re-elected for his fourth consecutive term.

Chinese President Xi Jin-ping on April 10th met with a number of foreign leaders from the Philippines, Singapore, Pakistan and Mongolia on the sidelines of the annual conference of the Boao Forum for Asia.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will visit Pyongyang, after accepting a formal invitation from the country’s top diplomat.

An earthquake measuring 4.7 on the Richter scale on April 10th hit an area of Central Italy that was devastated by a major quake in 2016.

Former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on April 9th was elected as Chairman of Boao Forum for Asia (BFA).

Central European leaders on April 9th congratulated Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban after he secured a “historic” victory for his ruling Fidesz Party in the national election.

Thailand's economy is expected to grow 4.1 percent this year, up from 3.6 percent predicted last August, as the recovery is broadening, the World Bank said on April 9th.

The National Election Committee (NEC) of Cambodia on April 9th warned that anyone calling on the people to boycott the upcoming general election could be fined and face criminal charges.

Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban on April 8th declared a “historic” victory for his ruling Fidesz Party in the national election.

The National Liberation Front in Angeria on April 8th announced incumbent President Abdelaziz Bouteflika as its candidate to run for his 5th consecutive term as President in 2019.

Cambodia and Japan have agreed to enhance bilateral cooperative relations, especially in economic development.

ADB President Takehiko Nakao participated in the 21st Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Finance Ministers’ and Central Bank Governors’ Meetings in Singapore on April 5th - 6th 2018.

Deputy Foreign Minister and head of Vietnam ASEAN SOM Nguyen Quoc Dung and Secretary of the Indian Ministry of External Affairs Preeti Saran co-chaired the 20th ASEAN-India Senior Officials’ Meeting (SOM) in Hanoi on April 5th-6th.

Japan is willing to host a meeting of chief negotiators of the newly-signed Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) in June or July, said a senior Japanese official in charge of the pact.

Maintaining sustainable economic growth and ensuring financial stability and self-resilience are key goals reached at the 22nd ASEAN Finance Ministers’ Meeting (AFMM-22), the fourth ASEAN Finance Minister and Central Bank Governors’ Meeting (AFMGM-4) and related meetings held in Singapore from April 3rd-6th.

Another powerful eruption was observed on April 5th at Mt. Shinmoe in southwestern Japan, with ash spewing up to around 5,000 meters high, the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) said.

The National Electoral Commission has announced that Mr. Julius Maada Bio, born in 1964, won the Sierra Leone presidential runoff.

Indonesia is targeting the third position in the global footwear industry by improving its current position as the fourth country after China, India, and Vietnam.