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Asean Insights Content

From left: Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia President Prabowo Subianto, Malaysia Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim, and Philippines President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos.
News
11 May 2026

Special BIMP-EAGA Summit in Cebu Adopts Vision 2035

The 10-year strategic roadmap seeks to enhance resilience and inclusive development for shared prosperity and sustainability.
Countries need to manage risks, maintain macroeconomic stability, and protect vulnerable populations. Photo credit: ADB
News
28 April 2026

Solid Growth Forecast for Developing Southeast Asia but Middle East Tensions Weigh on Outlook

ADB steps up support to help region cope with disruptions and ensure long-term resilience.
Regional cooperation, policy coherence, knowledge sharing, and international support are essential to enable countries at different stages of development to fully participate in and benefit from the green transition. Photo credit: ADB.
Article
23 April 2026

How ASEAN Is Striving for a $1-Trillion Green Future

Across the region, member states are making the transition at varying speeds and through different pathways.
ACFPP cover.
Publication
20 April 2026

ASEAN Climate Finance Policy Platform 2026

This brochure provides an overview of the ADB-supported initiative to strengthen the role of ASEAN finance ministries and policymakers in addressing climate change.
The ASEAN High-Level Policy Dialogue on Climate Finance was convened on 9 April 2026 in Manila (virtual format).
Event Summary
16 April 2026

Advancing Regional Cooperation on Climate Finance in ASEAN

Convened under the Philippines’ ASEAN Chairship, the High-Level Policy Dialogue gathered Southeast Asia’s finance leaders to strengthen collaboration, share priorities, and advance climate-responsive fiscal and financial policies in the region.
The launch of the Regional Connectivity Fund, which will support the ASEAN Power Grid), is a concrete sign of ADB’s longstanding and deep commitment to Southeast Asia, says Zhang. Photo credit: ADB.
News
9 April 2026

ADB’s New Director General in Southeast Asia Shares Vision for Region

Nianshan Zhang will lead ADB’s strategic agenda in Southeast Asia, advancing the bank’s delivery of its sovereign, nonsovereign, and advisory solutions in nine countries.
Air Quality in Southeast Asia: Status, Trends, and Priority Interventions Across Eight ASEAN Cities
Publication
1 April 2026

Air Quality in Southeast Asia: Status, Trends, and Priority Interventions Across Eight ASEAN Cities

This publication provides an overview of air quality in Southeast Asia and highlights priority actions to strengthen monitoring, coordination, and financing for clean air.
Event Summary
31 March 2026

From Policy to Performance: Making ASEAN Work for Business

This year’s ASEAN Business Environment Forum in Manila shared best practices, strengthened collaboration, and looked at digital pathways to boost competitiveness.
cover-timor-leste-joins-asean
Publication
27 March 2026

Timor-Leste Joins ASEAN: Can It Close the Development Gap?

This brief explores how quality growth combined with ASEAN support, can help Timor‑Leste turn opportunity into lasting, inclusive progress.
The latest version of the taxonomy includes Version 4 includes the technical screening criteria for the three remaining focus sectors—agriculture, forestry, and fishing; manufacturing; and water supply, sewerage, and waste management. Photo credit: ADB.
Article
23 March 2026

ASEAN Taxonomy for Sustainable Finance: 5 Things to Know

A comprehensive, science-based taxonomy will help businesses, project proponents, and investors understand what would qualify for sustainable financing.
In Southeast Asia, low-carbon mobility and clean power have the potential to contribute up to $100 billion in revenues by 2030. Photo credit: ADB.
Article
18 March 2026

ASEAN’s Green Leap Can Unlock the Next Wave of Growth

Poised to become the world's fourth largest economy, ASEAN can solidify its standing as an economic powerhouse by tackling the green transition as a growth opportunity and not a cost burden.
Firms are increasingly prioritizing skills-based hiring over educational pedigree, providing youth skills development pathways that can keep pace with industry change rather than the slower cycle of traditional curricula. Photo credit: ADB.
Article
13 March 2026

Microcredentials: ASEAN’s Answer to the Youth Jobs Crisis

These short, targeted programs deliver job-relevant skills, assessed and certified in alignment with industry standards.
green-economy-sea-front-cover
Publication
12 March 2026

Advancing the Green Economy Transition in ASEAN

The report assesses the state of the green economy transition in ASEAN and examines various aspects such as metrics, jobs creation, policies and regulations, and investment opportunities.
Fintech firms have been widely championed for their ability to reach historically underserved communities, including youth, low-income groups, women and small businesses. Photo credit: ADB.
Article
12 March 2026

ASEAN’s Fintech Agenda Should Look Outward

Lessons from other emerging economies could help ASEAN fintech startups grow, in turn promote financial inclusion, bolster competition, and fuel innovation.
Several ASEAN countries now have among the highest electric vehicle sales penetration of any country in the world. Photo credit: ADB.
News
11 March 2026

Southeast Asia Leads Global Boom in Electric Vehicle Sales

Emerging markets in the region are no longer catching up in adopting electric vehicles; they are leading the shift to electric mobility.