ASEAN and the world

(CPV) ADB has approved a new Pacific Renewable Energy Investment Facility which will finance a series of renewable energy projects and sector reforms in the smallest 11 Pacific island countries consisting of the Cook Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, Kiribati, Nauru, Palau, the Republic of Marshall Islands, Samoa, the Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu.

Malaysian Prime Minister (PM) Najib Razak has pointed out five risks and challenges facing his country in a message marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan.

A boat carrying around 170 tourists has sunk in a reservoir in northwestern Colombia, leaving at least six dead and 28 missing.

The ruling Cambodia People’s Party (CPP) took the lead while the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) came second in the communal elections which took place on June 4th.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Brazilian counterpart Michel Temer have held talks in Russia.

A meeting celebrating the 25th anniversary of Partnership between India and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) took place in New Delhi, India on June 22nd.

(CPV) - ADB and Pakistan signed a USD300 million loan on June 22nd 2017 to support Pakistan’s efforts to implement major structural reforms and efficiency initiatives to improve the performance, transparency, and financial sustainability of the country’s federal government-run public sector enterprises (PSEs).

On June 21st, Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida talked with his Republic of Korea (RoK) counterpart, Kang Kyung Wha.

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has appointed Mr. Samuel Moncada as the new Foreign Minister of the country.

French President Emmanuel Macron has reappointed Mr. Edouard Philippe as Prime Minister.

On June 19th, the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) said at least 126 refugees are feared to have drowned in the Mediterranean Sea after their boat sank.

Malaysia will expand its exports of digital and creative multimedia services as part of the objectives to diversify its trade portfolio, local online newspaper Free Malaysia Today reported.

On June 19th, London police said that 79 people are now presumed dead at the 27-storey Grenfell Tower fire on Latimer Road, near Notting Hill, London.

President Emmanuel Macron’s Party has won a massive majority in parliamentary elections.

A bomb blast in Pattani province, southern Thailand, on June 19th killed at least five soldiers and injured four others, according to local news.

(CPV) - The APEC High-Level Policy Dialogue on Sustainable Tourism was held on June 19th 2017 in Quang Ninh province. Under the APEC 2017 theme "Creating New Dynamism, Fostering a Shared Future”, the Dialogue focused on “Promoting Sustainable Tourism for an Inclusive and Interconnected Asia-Pacific”, with a view to further enhance APEC cooperation on sustainable and inclusive development.

President of the Republic of Korea (RoK) Moon Jae-in has appointed former United Nations policy adviser Kang Kying-wha as the country's first female Foreign Minister.

Dozens of people are presumed dead after the blaze at the 27-storey Grenfell Tower on Latimer Road, near Notting Hill, London.

A massive forest fire in central Portugal has killed at least 62 people, many of them trapped in cars as they tried to escape the area.

At least 58 people, who are missing, are presumed to have died in the Grenfell Tower fire in west London, said the police.

A polio outbreak has been identified in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The Republic of Korea had enjoyed trade surplus for a 64-month streak in May spurred by strong exports on the global demand upturn, the country’s Customs Service announced on June 15th.

Cambodia launched a 10-year financial development strategy (2016 to 2025) on June 15th in a bid to maintaining macroeconomic stability and boosting economic growth.

(CPV) - ADB and the World Bank Group are ready to help Pacific island countries maximize benefits from increased trade and investment across the region.

Thailand’s government hopes the transport connectivity initiative of China will boost trade and investment ties with and attract tourists from countries in the Eurasia Economic Union (EAEU).

Mr. Leo Varadkar, 38, was chosen as the Irish Prime Minister (PM) by vote of parliament on June 14th

The Parliament of Kyrgyzstan has adopted a resolution to set the Presidential Election Day on October 15th.

Heavy monsoon rain has triggered landslides in southeast Bangladesh, leaving at least 90 people dead.

Dozens were injured and others trapped in a blaze at a 27-storey tower on Latimer Road, near Notting Hill, London.

Indian Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi will visit the US from June 25th - 26th at the invitation of President Donald Trump.