ASEAN and the world

On February 20th, Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs Julie Bishop began her official visit to the U.S.

The National Assembly (NA) of Cambodia approved an amended Law on Political Parties on February 20th.

(CPV) – Delegates reviewed the implementation of multi-year programs such as the Beijing Declaration on Fighting Corruption and the APEC Business Travel Card (ABTC) among others.

On February 19th, President of Zimbabwe Robert Mugabe confirmed his candidacy for the Presidential election expected in mid-2018, when he will be 94 years old.

An earthquake measuring 6.3 on the Richter scale has struck in northern Argentina, close to the border with Chile.

The 67th annual Berlin International Film Festival took place from February 9th – 18th.

On February 16th, President Donald Trump has offered to retired admiral and former Navy SEAL Robert Harward the position of the next National Security Adviser, after the resignation of Michael T. Flynn.

President Donald Trump has picked Alexander Acosta to replace Mr. Andy Puzder as his choice for Secretary of Labour.

Irish President Michael Higgins has arrived in Cuba, beginning his official three-day visit.

US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson has arrived Bonn City, Germany, beginning his first overseas visit to a country as the top diplomat in the Trump administration.

(CPV) - Under the APEC 2017 overarching theme “Creating New Dynamism, Fostering a Shared Future”, a series of the first meetings of APEC 2017 SOM 1 took place on February 18th 2017.

The Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) of Singapore has forecasted that the country’s economy will expand by between 1-3 percent in 2017 following a growth rate of 2 percent last year.

On February 14th, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu began his official visit to the U.S for a series of meetings with President Donald Trump.

Joseph Clancy, the director of the US Secret Service, is retiring after 29 years at the agency.

On February 14th, Secretary General of the United Nations Antonio Guterres appointed Mr. Jean-Pierre Lacroix, a French diplomat, as Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations for one year.

Singapore was still listed among the top five recipients of foreign direct investment (FDI) in 2016 despite a decline in FDI attraction in the year.

(CPV) – The Mekong Innovative Startup Tourism (MIST) Initiative has announced two new accelerators designed to make it easier and faster for innovative tourism businesses to get established in Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and Vietnam.

The photo titled “An Assassination in Turkey” by Turkish photographer Burhan Ozbilici was announced as the winner of the 2017 World Press Photo Contest.

On February 13th, at least four people were killed near a popular ski resort in the French Alps.

US Senate has confirmed former Goldman Sachs banker and Hollywood financier Steven Mnuchin as the 77th Secretary of Treasury.

The 5th annual World Government Summit (WGS) 2017 officially kicked off in Dubai in the UAE on February 12th.

Incumbent President Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov has been re-elected as President for a third term, according to Turkmenistan’s Central Election Commission.

Germany's Parliamentary Assembly has elected Frank-Walter Steinmeier, a Social Democrat, as the country's president.

Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi paid a visit to Singapore from February 9th – 12th as part of the country’s efforts to boost cooperation with Singapore as the two countries are celebrating their 50 years of diplomatic ties, according to theForeign Ministry of Indonesia.

(CPV) - The Government of Pakistan kicked-off a 2-year project on February 7th to formulate the National Transport Policy. The comprehensive national transport policy and master plan will help cut travel time and boost the country’s economic outlook, while positioning it as a regional trade and business hub.

At least 12 people were killed and five were injured after landslides occurred in Bangli district on the holiday island of Bali, centre of Indonesia on February 9th-10th.

The first APEC Senior Officials’ Meeting (SOM 1) in 2017 holds a significant meaning in reasserting APEC’s determination to boost cooperation for growth and connectivity in the Asian-Pacific region.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will officially visit the US to meet with US President Donald Trump in Washington DC from the early next week.

The Paris municipality has announced a 2.5-meter glass wall will be built around the French capital’s iconic Eiffel Tower.

On February 9th, the 26th International Book Fair, the largest literary event in Cuba has opened in Havana.