The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has reaffirmed its commitment to deepening cooperation with the Russian Federation, with a specific focus on expanding collaboration and enhancing seamless travel arrangements between the two sides. The call came during ASEAN’s first major engagement of 2026, where ministers and senior officials emphasised Read more…
Community-based tourism (CoBT) operators in Sabah are undertaking strategic upskilling and service enhancements to align with evolving regional expectations and ASEAN Tourism Standards, Sabah Tourism Board (STB) officials and industry stakeholders confirmed this week. (Travel And Tour World) The drive comes as part of Sabah’s broader commitment to enhance tourism Read more…
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) remains a highly investable destination for foreign capital, yet stronger regional policy coordination and implementation consistency are critical to sustaining investor confidence and foreign direct investment (FDI) flows, according to Tan Sri Soh Thian Lai, Chairman of the ASEAN Manufacturing Network (AMN). (The Read more…
Ukraine is intensifying diplomatic engagement with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) by formally pursuing Sectoral Dialogue Partner (SDP) status, the Ukrainian Ambassador to the Philippines confirmed today. The bid comes amid the Philippines’ ASEAN Chairmanship in 2026, a year marked by expanded regional cooperation and strengthening ties between Read more…
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has intensified efforts to advance its long-standing Five-Point Consensus (5PC) on Myanmar following a high-level convening of stakeholders in Manila under the leadership of the Philippines, current ASEAN Chair. This diplomatic initiative aims to reinvigorate regional cooperation to end violence and chart a Read more…
Vietnam has taken a leading role in mobilising regional stakeholders and advancing ASEAN’s digital priorities, particularly in driving the ASEAN Digital Masterplan 2030 from vision to implementation, according to ASEAN Secretary-General Dr Kao Kim Hourn. Speaking in an interview with the Vietnam News Agency (VNA) on the sidelines of the Read more…
Recent economic analysis has highlighted that Thailand’s economy is under pressure relative to its ASEAN peers, underscoring the need for accelerated structural reforms, innovation and productivity improvements to sustain competitive growth within Southeast Asia. (nationthailand) Key Insights: Structural Headwinds in Thailand’s Economy Implications for ASEAN Competitiveness Recommended Strategic Actions To Read more…
Thailand and Cambodia have formally agreed to the deployment of an ASEAN observer team as part of a coordinated effort to de-escalate ongoing border tensions, Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced on 17 December 2025. The agreement marks a pivotal moment in ASEAN’s diplomatic engagement and collective peace-building Read more…
Recent assessments indicate that the surge in coal exports from Indonesia to ASEAN markets — while offering short-term economic relief — is likely a stop-gap strategy, not a sustainable long-term export solution. As regional demand falters and ASEAN countries accelerate clean-energy transitions, Indonesia’s coal sector faces mounting structural and policy Read more…
The Rotary Club of Ipoh Central has officially launched the ASEAN Youth Peacebuilder Initiative, a youth-led peacebuilding programme aimed at strengthening regional harmony, conflict-resolution capacity, and cross-cultural understanding among young leaders across ASEAN. Purpose & Vision The initiative seeks to build a new generation of “Peace Ambassadors” — equipping young Read more…
