ASEAN leaders discuss labor productivity, proper conduct, environmentalism, and security. Philippines calls for ‘upgrade of worker skills’ in ASEAN Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte asks other Association of Southeast Asian Nations leaders for support in enhancing human development in the workforce. Philippines pushes digitalization in Asean meet President Duterte will push for cooperation among the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member-states in a seamless transition into the fourth industrial revolution (IR) during 34th ASEAN Summit here this weekend. ASEAN leaders proclaim ‘ASEAN Cultural Year 2019’ The cultural heritage and diversity of the Southeast Asian nations will be further promoted and…

The ASEAN identifies tourism as an aid to free trade and protectionism as a barrier. Sustaining Asean resilience amid global economic worry DESPITE ongoing US-China trade tensions, the Association of South-east Asian Nations (Asean) seems to have developed a certain level of immunity to the current economic concerns facing the world economy. A miniature ecosystem of intra-regional trade between diverse markets, Asean’s trade is somewhat insulated from the larger effects of world superpower tensions. However, work remains to be done to ensure that the region maintains its immunity and continues to work towards a stronger logistics network. Asean, China, Japan,…

The Philippines continues to push for trade facilitation and security through the ASEAN talks. BSP signs currency settlements with ASEAN central banks BSP has forged agreements with the central banks of Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand as they look to set up direct settlement systems across currencies. ASEAN urged to collaborate vs. Financing of terrorism The Philippines has underscored the need for member-states of ASEAN to share their efforts and initiatives in deterring money laundering schemes, which have been proven to be among the primary tools being used to fund international terrorist activities. Philippine presses for non-tariff barriers at ASEAN meeting.…

The Philippines and other Member-States of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) coordinate with other countries such as Japan and China. With that collaboration, they expect mutual economic growth, facilitated trade, and stronger diplomatic ties. Mahathir urges ASEAN to improve intra-regional trade Malaysian Prime Minister Dr. Mahathir Mohamad on Thursday urged members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to take advantage of its huge collective population to maximize market opportunities, and enable the group to become a force to be reckoned with in the global economy. ASEAN gains China’s support on RCEP The Association of Southeast Asian Nations…

Japanese urges ASEAN to work with OCED Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono urged Southeast Asian countries on Thursday to work more closely with the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development to invest in high-quality infrastructure. ASEAN, Russia review progress of cooperation The 16th Meeting of the ASEAN-Russia Joint Cooperation Committee (ARJCC) took place at the ASEAN Secretariat in Jakarta on 23 March. It was co-chaired by H.E. Mr. Phongsavanh Sisoulath, Director General of ASEAN Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Lao PDR, and H.E. Mr. Alexander Ivanov, Ambassador of Russia to ASEAN New Deputy Secretary-General for ASEAN Economic Community takes…

Why is Asean afraid of China? Four claimants to parts of the disputed South China Sea are members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean): the Philippines, Malaysia, Vietnam and Brunei Darussalam. And yet, after its countless year-round meetings, Asean has issued nothing but vapid, hollow and repetitive statements on China’s continued expansionism in and militarization of the disputed area. ASEAN to enhance sanitary and phytosanitary measures Around 48 officials from relevant agencies in ASEAN Member States (AMS), Australia and New Zealand dealing with sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) measures and ASEAN Secretariat officers attended the Workshop on ASEAN Regional…