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The vital role of ASEAN
The ASEAN-UN Comprehensive Partnership is more important than ever. We face tests as far as the eye can see — from the climate emergency to a global cost-of-living crisis, raging conflicts and growing poverty, hunger, and inequalities. All these challenges are aggravated by rising geopolitical tensions. There is a real risk of fragmentation — of a Great Fracture in world economic and financial systems, with diverging strategies on technology and artificial intelligence and conflicting security frameworks. I commend ASEAN for your vital role in building bridges of understanding all over the world. ASEAN has played an extremely important role as a center that convenes all those that, unfortunately, represent the most dramatic divisions in today’s world and these series of summits is a demonstration of that fundamental convening role of ASEAN. And we need it in a world that is increasingly multipolar and that requires strong multilateral institutions to go with it — based on equity, solidarity and universality. I am grateful for your steadfast support for multilateral solutions and your contribution of over 5,000 peacekeepers from ASEAN countries. ASEAN’s convening power, commitment to dialogue and experience in conflict prevention are crucial pillars of stability. Today, tensions remain high from the Korean Peninsula to the South China Sea. I am grateful to ASEAN member states for your pursuit of dialogue and peaceful dispute resolution, rooted in the respect for international law, including the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. Since we gathered last year, the situation in Myanmar has further deteriorated. Brutal violence, worsening poverty and systematic repression are crushing hopes for a return to democracy. The conflict is exacerbating existing inequalities and vulnerabilities faced by women and girls, including sexual violence, forced marriage and human trafficking. More and more people are crossing borders in a desperate search for safety and protection and the situation is untenable. Over one million Rohingya remain in Bangladesh, in the world’s largest refugee camp. And, regrettably, the conditions for their safe, voluntary and dignified return are not yet in sight. Much more is needed. My call to the military authorities of Myanmar is clear: Free all detained leaders and political prisoners; open the door toward the full restoration of democratic rule. We must also end our assault against the planet. ASEAN ranks amongst the most biodiversity-rich regions — and is highly vulnerable to natural disasters. We can still limit the worst impacts and meet the goals of the Paris Agreement. ASEAN is uniquely positioned to be a leader of an energy transition that is global, sustainable, just, inclusive and equitable. I commend ASEAN member states that are pioneering Just Energy Transition Partnerships like Indonesia and Viet Nam. And I commend all who are accelerating the phaseout of coal and jumpstarting a fair and inclusive renewables revolution. But greater ambition is needed still — along with much greater support. Developed countries must finally deliver on their commitments to developing countries. Resources are also central to rescuing the Sustainable Development Goals. I have called for deep and structural changes to make global frameworks — including the Bretton Woods system — more representative of today’s economic and political realities and also more responsive. Such change will not happen overnight — and I have proposed concrete steps we can take now, including an SDG Stimulus of US$500 billion a year to the benefit of developing countries for them to be able to reach the Sustainable Goals. This and other action would catalyze SDG progress and help developing economies invest in key transitions across energy, food systems, digital, education, health, decent jobs and social protection. I count on ASEAN member states to help raise global ambition in the vital months ahead. And you can always count on my wholehearted support to shape a future of peace and prosperity for the people of Southeast Asia and the world. *** Excerpts from the UN Secretary-General’s remarks at the ASEAN-UN Summit, 7 September 2023. The post The vital role of ASEAN appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
ASEAN leaders agree on 5PC to address Myanmar crisis
JAKARTA, Indonesia – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Thursday called for the complete implementation of the Five-Point Consensus (5PC) in Myanmar, a set of principles agreed upon by the Association of the Southeast Asian Nation leaders in April 2021 to address the political crisis in the country. Speaking at the 18th East Asia Summit (EAS) here, Marcos said that the Philippines believes that the key to any solution in Myanmar is the inclusive participation of all parties. He also reiterated the Philippines' support for the Special Envoy of ASEAN in pushing the Five-Point Consensus forward. "We maintain that endeavors by other parties to address the crisis should support and complement ASEAN's efforts, and should be done in consultation with the ASEAN Chair," Marcos said. The Five-Point Consensus calls for an immediate cessation of violence, constructive dialogue among all parties, an inclusive political process, the appointment of a Special Envoy of ASEAN, and the provision of humanitarian assistance. Marcos also called for the urgent realization of the Loss and Damage Fund (LDF) to help countries address the impacts of climate change. He said that countries with the smallest carbon footprints disproportionately bear the heaviest burden of climate change. "Climate financing, complemented by viable and effective technology transfer and country-specific capacity-building, is needed to expedite a just transition to a climate-resilient economy," Marcos said. He also sought the support of other EAS leaders for the development of the Philippines' strategic minerals supply and value chains. He said that this would boost the Philippines' efforts to ensure a resilient and sustainable future for the region. Marcos concluded his intervention by reaffirming the Philippines' commitment to an open and inclusive regional order where the rule of law and ASEAN Centrality remain the bedrock of an evolving regional architecture. The East Asia Summit is a regional forum held annually by leaders of, initially, 16 countries in the East Asian, Southeast Asian, South Asian, and Oceanian regions, based on the ASEAN Plus Six mechanism. Membership expanded to 18 countries including Russia and the United States at the Sixth EAS in 2011. The post ASEAN leaders agree on 5PC to address Myanmar crisis appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
PHL to chair ASEAN in 2026
JAKARTA, Indonesia – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has announced that the Philippines is ready to take the helm and chair the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in 2026. He made the announcement during the 43rd ASEAN Summit in Jakarta, Indonesia on Tuesday, where he made his remarks during the summit plenary. "It is my pleasure to announce that the Philippines is ready to take the helm and chair ASEAN in 2026," Marcos said. "We will fortify the foundations of our Community-building and navigate ASEAN as it embarks on a new chapter," he added. Marcos assured that the Philippines will count on the support of fellow Member States and continue to work with our partners to strengthen ASEAN Centrality, and to promote peace, security, stability, and prosperity in the region. ASEAN is a regional intergovernmental organization comprising ten countries in Southeast Asia: Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. The Philippines last chaired ASEAN in 2017, during the term of former President Rodrigo Duterte. Indonesia currently hosts the ongoing 43rd ASEAN Summit in Jakarta, Indonesia. After the summit, Indonesia will pass on the role of ASEAN chairmanship to Laos. The post PHL to chair ASEAN in 2026 appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
DoT chief seeks Rotarians’ support for tourism projects
A partnership with the Rotary Club of Manila, along with other Rotary Clubs in the country can realize the government’s objective of transforming the Philippines into a tourism powerhouse in Asia. [caption id="attachment_179067" align="aligncenter" width="2430"] Department of Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco, in her speech as guest speaker of the Rotary Club of Manila during the Club's weekly meeting at the Manila Polo Club last 31 August, said it was her ‘sincere hope that with the partnership of the Rotary Club, as well as its members and the captains of industry who contribute in one way or another to the project of nation-building, we can ensure that our country — through tourism — will have a more primary role in Asia as a tourism powerhouse.’[/caption] This was the call made by Tourism Secretary Maria Christina Frasco after presenting the stance of the tourism industry in the country before members and officers of the Rotary Club of Manila during the Club’s membership meeting at the Manila Polo Club last Thursday, 31 August 2023. Frasco reported that the efforts of the DoT, along with the whole-of-government approach ordered by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in implementing the department’s projects with an eye to restoring the glory of the tourism industry has resulted as of 30 August 2023 into 3.6 million international arrivals, surpassing the total number of international arrivals last 2022. The figure is already 75.92 percent of the country’s target of 4.8 million tourist arrivals this year. “Philippine tourism contributed 6.2 percent to our gross domestic product in 2022; it is being hailed by our economic managers as the second growth driver in the first six months of this year,” she said. By the end of 2022, Frasco said the tourism industry has contributed over P1.87 trillion to the Philippine economy as a composite of international and domestic spending, representing a 67 percent recovery since 2019. “Tourism also contributed over 5.5 million in tourism employment, an 11 percent share of the national employment, and also represents over 93 percent in recovery from 2019 data,” she added. Frasco also said that the rallying of Philippine tourism after the battering it got from the pandemic stands at 66.3 percent, higher than the 54 percent average recovery of ASEAN nations in 2022. As per tourism receipts, Frasco said the industry has already breached P285.9 billion as of 31 July 2023. Pillars of Tourism The Tourism secretary stressed that to give the Philippines a fighting chance at standing shoulder-to-shoulder with its neighbors in the ASEAN region, her department had crafted the National Tourism Development Plan 2023-2028, which does not only focus on the promotion of tourism alone but also in analyzing and understanding the essential pillars of tourism. Approved by President Marcos Jr. last May 2023, the NTDP provides a framework to guide the development and implementation of programs, projects, and activities towards a sustainable, innovative, inclusive, and globally competitive tourism industry. NTDP’s seven strategic goals include improvement of tourism infrastructure and accessibility; cohesive and comprehensive digitalization and connectivity; enhancement of overall tourist experience; equalization of tourism product development and promotion; diversification of the tourism portfolio through multidimensional tourism; maximization of domestic and international tourism; and strengthening tourism governance through close collaborations with national and local stakeholders. Putting the Plan into concrete action, the DoT hopes to have an accumulated total of 51.9 million tourist arrivals and 34.7 million tourism-related jobs in the country by 2028. Frasco said in terms of infrastructure, the DoT has partnered with the Department of Public Works and Highways to improve accessibility in the regions with tourism sites. “This is by constructing, rehabilitating and adding tourism roads leading to tourist destinations. This year, over 158 kilometers of tourism roads have already been constructed,” she said. Aside from this, Frasco said the DoT has also coordinated with the Department of Transportation in improving connectivity, primarily in the country’s gateways for the improvement of flights and tourist journeys. With this, Frasco said the country is starting to see robust recovery of connectivity in the country, including a 100 percent increase in flights in Clark International Airport; a 614 percent increase in flights in Kalibo International Airport; and over a 300 percent increase in flights in Mactan-Cebu International Airport, among other airports in the country. Moreover, she said they also partnered with the Department of Information and Communications Technology for the purpose of improving internet connectivity across 94 tourist destinations in the country. Connectivity in 47 of these destinations have already improved, according to Frasco. e-VISA Furthermore, Frasco said the DoT has engaged with other government agencies, namely the Department of Foreign Affairs, the Department of Justice, the DICT, and the Bureau of Immigration for the streamlining of the visa application process, aiming to enhance convenience and accessibility for all international travelers, starting with Chinese visitors. Last 24 August, the DFA implemented the Philippine e-Visa system in Philippine Foreign Service Posts in China. The Philippine e-Visa will allow foreign nationals entering the country for tourism or business to apply for temporary visitor visas remotely through their personal computers, laptops and mobile devices. Other initiatives conceptualized by the DoT to improve the tourism experience include the “Hop in Hop Off” project; being part of the “Love the Philippines” tourism slogan; the “Philippine Experience”; facilitating a cultural tourism circuit development focused on heritage, culture, and arts to enhance current tour and domestic circuit offerings, which include Food and Gastronomy, Pilgrimage and Wellness, Living Cultures and Heritage, and an Arts caravan. In order to equip Filipino tourism workers, the DoT is set on training 100,000 of these workers and capitalize on the world-renowned Filipino hospitality. “We have already managed to train over 71,000 Filipino workers,” Frasco said. Optimistic “Frasco said the Marcos administration remains optimistic about tourism recovery and the resurgence of the nation. “Our numbers will indicate that tourism will continue to be a top economic driver that will provide massive employment and livelihood opportunities to Filipinos and our MSMEs,” she said. With the launch of the enhanced “Love the Philippines” branding, Frasco maintained that it would give the country a better opportunity to be reintroduced to the world. The post DoT chief seeks Rotarians’ support for tourism projects appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Joining innovation frontiers
The innovative energy throughout the Philippine startup ecosystem is pulsating strongly more than ever. Even startup scenes across the world are beginning to feel it. This month, I met with the Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco and the Philippine Trade & Investment Center in Silicon Valley as IPOPHL aims to explore collaboration opportunities in the Bay Area. Intellectual property or IP protection and registration in the Philippines were topics of particular interest. The presence of IPOPHL was an excellent opportunity to organize a forum to discuss the advantages of the Philippine IP regime for companies and startups. At the forum, I shed light on the thrilling progress of the Philippine startup ecosystem, driven by a vibrant, tech-savvy and educated young population, combined with strong government and private sector support. In 2022, the Philippines proudly ranked fifth among ASEAN member states in the Global Innovation Index and remained to be an innovation achiever, a testament to the innovative energy that courses through our veins despite limited resources. The country’s startups also accounted for nearly 4 percent of the total $15.8 billion in startup equity funding raised in Southeast Asia, highlighting our increasing significance on the regional stage. Remarkably, despite a worldwide investment downturn, our investment landscape expanded to a substantial 9 percent, proving our resilience and commitment to fostering entrepreneurship and innovation. According to the 2023 Global Startup Ecosystem Report, Manila alone has grown its startup ecosystem to $3.5 billion, rising 85 percent from the $2.1 billion reported in the 2022 GSER. But it’s not just Manila that is showing promise. Highly urbanized cities such as Naga, Iloilo, Cebu and Davao are also emerging as exciting startup destinations. However, we need to reach more innovation companies to help them protect their IP assets. Recently, the Philippine Institute for Development Studies assessed innovation activities of 11,500 firms based on their engagement and types of innovation pursued (product or process innovation). The study showed that, as of 2021, a third (33.6 percent) of firms were innovation active, with innovation practiced more among medium and large establishments than micro and small ones. Of the innovation-active firms, only a quarter filed for IP rights. But we hoped things to be different starting 2022. Last year, applications for patents — which indicates the appetite to bring possibly commercially viable inventions to market — booked the fastest growth among all types of IP as volumes expanded 9.3 percent to 4,403. In the first half of this year, IPOPHL saw registrations for innovation-focused types of IP expand as public and private support dedicated to foster innovation are in full swing. Preliminary data from IPOPHL show that patent and industrial design filings grew year-on-year almost every month during the January to June period while utility models have seen consistent growth every month, positioning 2023 as a year for innovation. The expanded appetite for innovation may be attributed to the host of policies to streamline government processes, harmonize resources and support strategic innovation investments, such as through the passage of the Innovative Startup Act, Philippine Innovation Act, Ease of Doing Business Act, Foreign Investments Act, and CREATE Law. For its part, IPOPHL’s initiatives for startups such as IPOPHL’s Juan and Juana projects, Innovation and Technology Support Office, IPOPHL-Asian Institute of Management-Dado Banatao Incubator, free capacity building activities, were presented at the meeting with PCG-SF and the PTIC-SV. Trade Commissioner at the Philippine Consulate General May Nina Celynne Layug expressed interest in further discussing IPOPHL’s initiatives in the future and how PTIC-SV and IPOPHL can work together, especially in marketing the country to potential startup locators. These further collaborations could in the future make the Philippines among the innovation frontiers as ranked by the Global Innovation Index. In the next GII, to be released this September, we’re optimistic the country will be taking a few giant steps towards that goal. The post Joining innovation frontiers appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
SM Prime, partners hold symposium on wetland conservation
As the world celebrated the International Day for Biological Diversity 2023, SM Prime Holdings Inc. joined the Society for the Conservation of Philippine Wetlands Inc. in hosting the fourth SCPW Wetland Center Design Symposium on 29 May 2023 at the MAAX Building in the Mall of Asia Complex. [caption id="attachment_170633" align="aligncenter" width="1131"] SM Prime AVP and head of Marketing, PR and Communications Rida Reyes Castillo.[/caption] Under the theme "Build Back Biodiversity: Wetland Centers and Nature-Based Architecture," the hybrid symposium featured presentations centered on fostering knowledge and awareness about wetland conservation and innovative design approaches. SCPW president Architect Celestino Ulep opened the symposium by sharing his optimism on how collaboration and embracing nature-based architecture can pave the way toward creating a future where wetlands thrive and biodiversity flourishes. Notable experts in the field also graced the event, including Chris Rostron, global manager of Wetland Link International, and Alex Hughes of Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust in London, UK. Ulep introducing the concept of nature-based architecture, highlighting the importance of prioritizing sustainability and harmony in design by creating structures that seamlessly integrate with the natural environment. Meanwhile, Architect Aaron Lecciones, SCPW special projects officer, made a detailed visual presentation on the Las Piñas-Parañaque Wetland Park design team's experience. He highlighted the challenges and triumphs of designing a wetland park, to serve as a source of inspiration for aspiring designers and architects. Stakeholder partners Rida Reyes Castillo of SM Prime, Dr. Arvin Diesmos of the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity, Laudemir Salac of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Region 3 and Architect Gleo Raymundo of United Architects of the Philippines Student Auxiliary also attended the event. "It is an honor and privilege on the part of SM to partner with the SCPW and UAPSA in realizing its common goal of protecting ecosystems, particularly wetlands, by inspiring the youth to engage and take action on the socio-civic and economic issues in their communities by finding workable solutions towards building a sustainable future," SM Prime AVP and head of Marketing, PR and Communications Rida Reyes Castillo said. Castillo further emphasized that environmental protection and nature conservation are integral pillars of SM Prime's sustainability campaign, along with cultivating the younger generation’s devotion to building a sustainable future. The symposium concluded with a comprehensive discussion on the rules and guidelines of the design competition, followed by an open forum and exchange of ideas among participants. The symposium also marked the beginning of the 4th SCPW Wetland Center Design Competition, which aims to create a platform for talented students in the field of construction and design to showcase their skills and ingenuity and encourages them to address environmental challenges through sustainable solutions. The post SM Prime, partners hold symposium on wetland conservation appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Megaworld taps AI for smart towns
Andrew Tan-led township developer Megaworld Corp. has opened the country’s first data science lab that helps build smarter townships across the country. Through the project, dubbed Township Analytics and Technology Lab, or TAT Lab, Megaworld projects nationwide will be developed with the help of machine-learning models using artificial intelligence. “Megaworld’s commitment to building next-generation townships that are safer, more secure, enjoyable, and sustainable is evident with the establishment of our very own data science lab,” Francis Viernes, chief data scientist and lab director of TAT Lab and head of Data Analytics, said. “Our residents, locators, visitors, and partners stand to benefit from the various innovative programs to be spearheaded by TAT Lab, which are all aimed at creating better experiences in and around our townships,” he added. Predictive existence One of the programs already deployed by TAT Lab is an advanced accident detection system, which is designed to detect road accidents seconds before it happens to trigger a faster, more efficient incident response. TAT Lab’s accident detection system recently won the Innovation Award at the annual ASEAN Innovation Business Platform or AIBP, Enterprise Innovation Awards for leading the way in emerging digital innovations using AI in the region. Another program is the Township-Specific Weather Analytics and Monitoring implemented in partnership with Komunidad, the leader in climate data analytics in Asia. The program aims to help make Megaworld townships more resilient by providing localized and more accurate climate information to help residents and locators plan their day-to-day activities more efficiently. Located within the TAT Lab headquarters is the Megaworld Command Center, a state-of-the-art surveillance facility, that is capable of monitoring and consolidating situation reports across all of Megaworld’s townships nationwide. The Command Center is run by both TAT Lab and Megaworld’s Estate group, with the latter handling its operations. Other programs that will be rolled out soon by TAT Lab include township geographic assessment with real-time traffic information, as well as advanced security monitoring programs aimed at implementing additional layers of security and protection for residential condominiums, offices, malls, hotels, and other major components of Megaworld townships. In the future, more data science and technology programs will be employed in various aspects across Megaworld’s townships, including risks, traffic, security, utilities, waste disposal, and sustainability. Aside from the recognition from AIBP, Megaworld clinched top prizes from World Business Outlook Awards 2023, namely “Best Real Estate Company,” “Most Innovative Real Estate Company,” and “Most Sustainable Real Estate Developer” in the Philippines. The post Megaworld taps AI for smart towns appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Selling alcohol responsibly
Last week, I witnessed the renewed pledge of the local alcohol industry and e-commerce platforms to build consumer trust and prevent alcohol sales to minors online. This was held at the event themed, “Promoting a Responsible Environment for the Online Sale of Alcoholic Beverages in the Philippines,” held jointly by the Asia Pacific International Spirits and Wines Alliance and the Alcoholic Beverages Alliance of the Philippines Inc. I couldn’t help but see parallels between this and the work we do at the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines as we help facilitate our growing E-Commerce Memorandum of Understanding. The pledge was, like the E-Commerce MoU, signed during the pandemic when illicit activities online skyrocketed. The E-Commerce MoU, now with 27 brands and platforms as members, seeks to establish a code of practice on the back of members’ shared aspiration to respect IP rights and cultivate trust online. Since its implementation in 2021, platforms have been more active in taking down intellectual property infringing posts to the benefit of IP rights holders who have reported positive outcomes. The MoU has in fact been cited as an example that Asean members could replicate to combat counterfeit alcohol online. This was from the latest “Tackling Illicit Alcohol in Southeast Asia” report by the Transnational Alliance to Combat Illicit Trade. The TRACIT report warned that Asean will be the region with the highest consumption of unrecorded alcohol by 2025 if the illicit trade is not mitigated. With unrecorded alcohol making up 44.4% of total alcohol consumption, the Philippines, along with Malaysia, placed 5th in having the biggest ratio out of nine Asean countries monitored. This is alarming as this could mean irreversible health consequences and deaths to our people. This is also alarming in terms of the revenues we lost and could have used to further develop our country. The TRACIT report estimates that the Philippines incurred the second biggest loss in illicit alcohol at $438 million, just a little below the $441 million of Vietnam. In sum, counterfeit alcohol could reverse the gains that we have been building for Asean’s Community Vision 2025, and that is having a highly competitive region, driven by innovation, among other things. Although we are no longer the chair of the Asean Network of Intellectual Property Enforcement Experts — we just turned over our two-year chairmanship this year — IPOPHL will continue to push for the adoption of an E-Commerce MoU across Asean so that the positive results we experienced in the Philippines can be expanded regionwide. Currently, we are revising the MoU to make further improvements, mostly to improve reporting mechanisms, incorporate new terms and identify red flag listings. We also hope to share the MoU with more stakeholders, inviting more members, especially Facebook which has become a marketplace. We will continue coordinating closely with all signatories to ensure the smooth implementation of the MoU and sustain momentum. The pledge and e-commerce MoU are just some of the indicators that show the shared goal of APISWA, ABAPI and IPOPHL. It shows that many still reflect on the values of being good citizens and know that we need to instill and live by them even in the online space. Given the concrete outcomes from the E-Commerce MoU, we are positive that ABAPI will also register positive gains in its mission. We share a toast to drinking alcohol responsibly, as well as selling it responsibly with only the legitimate and original products. The post Selling alcohol responsibly appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
88% of Pinoys oppose Cha-cha – Pulse Asia
Public opinion on Charter change, which last year was roughly divided among Filipinos, is now largely skewed toward those opposed to changing the country’s Constitution, a survey conducted by Pulse Asia showed......»»
Opinion - South China Sea- Philippines must softly manage disputes or miss out economically
Manilas assertive transparency strategy is touted as a model for managing maritime disputes but it diminishes key economic opportunities. As Chinese investment pours into other Southeast Asian countries, the Philippines must reduce geopolitical risks without acquiescing to Beijing......»»
Indian Coast Guard ship docks at Manila port amid tensions in South China Sea
Manila [Philippines], March 26 (ANI): Amid tensions in the South China Sea, the Indian Coast Guard ship, Samudra Paheredar docked at the Manila Bay in the Philippines as part of a broader initiative aimed at demonstrating ICG Marine Pollution Response capabilities, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) said in an official release on Tuesday. The ICG ship which arrived at the port on Monday, is on an overseas deployment to ASEAN c.....»»
Blinken Arrives in South Korea to Attend Democracy Summit
Seoul, South Korea - U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived Sunday in South Korea on the first stop of a brief Asia tour also including the Philippines, as Washington moves to reinforce ties with two key regional allies.Blinken landed Sunday afternoon ahead of the third Summit for Democracy on Monday, an initiative of U.S. President Joe Biden, which Seoul is hosting this week.Before arriving in Se.....»»
Xinhua Asia-Pacific news summary at 1600 GMT, March 11
SEOUL -- South Korea's export fell in double digits in the first 10 days of March due to fewer business days, customs office data showed Monday. Export came to 13.54 billion U.S. dollars in the 10 days, down 13.4 percent compared to the same period of last year, according to Korea Customs Service. (South Korea-Exports) - - - - VIENTIANE -- Participants in the 30th ASEAN Economic Ministers' Retreat.....»»
Special ASEAN Regional Summit in Australia
SYDNEY - Although Australia isn't a member of ASEAN, the country is hosting a summit of leaders from nine members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.Strengthening economic and security ties will be the focus for the Canberra government, which has set aside $186.7 million to help countries in Southeast Asia and more broadly in the Indo-Pacific region boost their maritime security.Analysts say Au.....»»
Australia Hosting Special ASEAN Regional Summit
SYDNEY - Although Australia isn't a member of ASEAN, the country is hosting a summit of leaders from nine members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.Strengthening economic and security ties will be the focus for the Canberra government, which has set aside $186.7 million to help countries in Southeast Asia and more broadly in the Indo-Pacific region boost their maritime security.Analysts say Au.....»»
Special ASEAN Regional Summit in Australia
SYDNEY - Although Australia isn't a member of ASEAN, the country is hosting a summit of leaders from nine members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.Strengthening economic and security ties will be the focus for the Canberra government, which has set aside $186.7 million to help countries in Southeast Asia and more broadly in the Indo-Pacific region boost their maritime security.Analysts say Au.....»»
Australia Hosting Special ASEAN Regional Summit
SYDNEY - Although Australia isn't a member of ASEAN, the country is hosting a summit of leaders from nine members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.Strengthening economic and security ties will be the focus for the Canberra government, which has set aside $186.7 million to help countries in Southeast Asia and more broadly in the Indo-Pacific region boost their maritime security.Analysts say Au.....»»
Philippines leads Asean in vehicle output growth in 2023
The Philippines emerged as the fastest-growing country in Southeast Asia in terms of motor vehicle production in 2023 as it registered a 19.7 percent increase......»»
Philippines urged to accelerate development of sustainable infrastructure
The Philippines needs to work double time in building sustainable infrastructure given its high vulnerability to the impacts of climate change and weather disturbances, Singapore-based project facilitation office Infrastructure Asia said......»»
3 Northern Luzon cities named ‘Asean Clean Tourist Cities’
Three cities in Northern Luzon were recognized as “clean tourist cities” in Southeast Asia......»»