ASEAN and the world

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit Sri Lanka, Germany, Spain, Russia and Kazakhstan in May and early June.

On March 7th, Cuba’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla, welcomed Republican representatives from US.

(CPV) - GE announced its new global Powering Efficiency Center of Excellence (COE), which brings together cross-business experts in its energy businesses to apply total plant hardware and software solution approach to boost the efficiency of the world’s new and existing coal-fired power plants and significantly reduce their emissions.

The 14th summit of the Bolivarian Alternative for the Peoples of America (ALBA) has opened in Venezuela's capital city of Caracas.

Retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson was confirmed as the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), by a 58-41 Senate vote.

On March 2nd, the US Senate confirmed former Texas governor Rick Perry as the Secretary of Energy by a vote of 62 to 37.

On March 5th, an earthquake measuring 5.9 on the Richter scale struck off the southern part of the Philippines, the US Geological Survey (USGS) said.

Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir has appointed, Bakri Hassan, a top aide, as Prime Minister.

16 countries have gathered for a meeting of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) in Kobe, Japan.

The United States Senate has confirmed Rep. Ryan Zinke as Interior Secretary by a 68 to 31 vote.

Major global news agencies have reported the visit by Japanese King Akihito and Empress Michiko to Vietnam.

The US Senate on February 27th vote 72-27 to confirm billionaire Wilbur Ross as Trump's Commerce Secretary.

Heavy rain during usually dry summer months causes landslides and flooding, leaving three dead in Chile.

(CPV) - Infrastructure needs in developing Asia and the Pacific will exceed USD22.6 trillion through 2030, or USD1.5 trillion per year, if the region is to maintain growth momentum, according to a new flagship report by ADB. The estimates rise to over USD26 trillion, or USD1.7 trillion per year, when climate change mitigation and adaptation costs are incorporated.

Saudi Arabia’s King Salman Abdulaziz Al-Saud on February 26th began his visit to Malaysia.

Indonesia and Australia have vowed to promote free trade and closer maritime cooperation.

The Thai government is working to ensure the country will achieve a 4-percent GDP growth as forecast by the National Economics and Social Development Board (NESDB), said Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha.

Indonesian President Joko Widodo and his spouse Hj Iriana Joko Widodo will pay an official visit to Australia from February 25th – 26th, according to a press release by the Office of the Australian Prime Minister on February 24th.

On February 22nd, Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo was sworn in as the 9th President of Somalia.

On February 21st, Cuban President Raul Castro received a US congressional delegation led by Democratic Senator from Vermont Patrick Leahy in Havana.

President Donald Trump has said he would bring the “full force and weight” of the US government to combat an “epidemic” of human trafficking, at a meeting with organizations which have been helping victims of human trafficking.

Australia is scheduled to host the ASEAN-Australia Special Summit in 2018, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said on February 23rd.

Peru President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski will meet with US President Donald Trump at the White House on February 23rd.

China’s State Councillor Yang Jiechie has met Indian Foreign Secretary S. Jaishankar, who is paying a visit to China.

(CPV) - In the framework of APEC Finance and Central Bank Deputies meeting on February 23rd 2017, Ministry of Finance (General Department of Taxation) has organized a side-workshop on “BEPS Action Plan Deployment in APEC” on February 22nd 2017 in Nha Trang city, Khanh Hoa province.

(CPV) - Fast Company started publishing its “most innovative” lists 10 years ago.

Torrential downpours have caused widespread flooding across parts of Indonesia, including in the capital, Jakarta.

Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko will make a week-long trip to Vietnam from February 28th, their first visit to the Southeast Asian country.

Russian Ambassador to the United Nations Vitaly Churkin has suddenly passed away in New York, the Russian Foreign Minister announced.

On February 20th, Israeli Minister of Foreign Affairs (MFA) announced that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would visit Singapore from February 20th – 21st.