ASEAN and the world

(CPV) - Leaders of the top multilateral development banks (MDBs) have agreed to deepen their collaboration to encourage private sector investment in vital infrastructure needed to support sustainable and inclusive economic growth throughout the world.

The coronation of Thailand's new King Vajiralongkorn is likely to take place at the end of the year, Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam said on April 21st.

US Vice President Mike Pence announced on April 21st that 11 deals worth USD10 billion were signed between American and Indonesian companies during his visit to Jakarta.

Members of the British Parliament have approved Prime Minister Theresa May's plan to hold an early general election on June 8th.

On April 20th, US Vice President Mike Pence said President Donald Trump would attend the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting in Vietnam in November.

On April 20th, the Soyuz MS-04 rocket was launched at 0713 GMT from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, carrying veteran Russian cosmonaut Fyodor Yurchikhin and NASA rookie Jack Fischer into orbit.

(CPV) - ADB, through its Lao PDR Resident Mission, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs jointly organized an event to celebrate 50 years of development partnership between Lao People’s Democratic Republic and ADB, as well as mark the 50th anniversary of the country’s membership in the multilateral institution.

At least 44 have died after a bus carrying 56 passengers fell into a river in India’s northern mountainous state of Himachal Pradesh, around 115 kilometres from the capital Shimla.

Filipino President Rodrigo Duterte will pay a visit to Japan in early June to attend an economic forum among Asian leaders.

The Philippine government on April 18th announced a new development strategy called “Dutertenomics”, aiming to make breakthroughs in developing infrastructure.

On April 18th, Russian President Vladimir Putin has congratulated his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan over his victory in a referendum to boost the Turkish presidency.

A strong and deep earthquake measuring 6.0 on the Richter scale hit a rural area in northern Peru on April 18th.

US National Security Advisor Herbert McMaster paid a visit to Pakistan for talks on the security situation in Afghanistan and bilateral matters.

On April 16th, French Interior Minister Matthias Fekl said that 50,000 police personal would be deployed to ensure security on the day of the nation's presidential election.

At least 48 people were killed and 5 are missing after torrential rains caused intense flooding and landslides in northwestern Iran.

On April 17th, Cuban Foreign Minister (FM) Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla officially visited Spain.

The Changi Airport Group (CAG), the Singapore Airlines (SIA) and the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) will jointly invest SGD33.75 million (over USD24 million) to promote inbound travel, according to a joint statement issued on April 17th.

(CPV) - With growth in the Solomon Islands expected to moderate to 3% in 2017 and 2.8% in 2018, tourism is being viewed as an untapped source for economic growth, says a new ADB’s report.

On April 16th, the Republic of Korea (RoK) organized a number of activities to mark the 3rd anniversary of the Sewol ferry disaster.

The Royal Thai Army (RTA) will cut the number of VT-4 battle tanks it wants to buy from China from 98 to 60 due to insufficient funds.

The Health Department of Terengganu state in Malaysia has confirmed that a pregnant woman has died of the influenza A virus (H1N1).

(CPV) - ADB has launched a new database presenting detailed figures and insights on projects supporting climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts as the institution moves closer to its USD6 billion annual climate financing commitment by 2020.

People across Laos and Cambodia have been on cloud nine with vibrant cultural activities held during their traditional New Year festivals according to the Buddhist calendar.

Prime Minister Hun Sen has called on people to join him to maintain the country’s peace as Cambodia is preparing for the commune elections in June.

On April 13th, at least 11 people were killed and six left missing after two overloaded wooden boats capsized.

The organizing board of the 70th Cannes Film Festival has revealed the list of 18 films competing for the Palme d’Or.

The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) is preparing to mark the 105th anniversary of the birth of Kim II-sung, the country’s founder and grandfather of current leader Kim Jong Un.

A Malaysian court in Sepang district of Malaysia’s Selangor state postponed a hearing for two women suspected in the death of a Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) citizen to May 30th.

Japanese Prime Minister (PM) Shinzo Abe plans to visit Moscow on April 27th-28th for talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

On April 12th, Iran’s former President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has registered to run in the country’s Presidential elections on May 19th.