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Asean Insights Content

Switching to clean, accessible, low-cost and secure energy can benefit ASEAN member states in achieving their energy and climate goals. Photo credit: ADB.
Article
20 April 2021

A Green Recovery Can Make Southeast Asia an Economic Powerhouse

While COVID-19 continues to wreak socio-economic havoc across the region, the recovery provides a unique opportunity to fast track the transition toward green growth.
The ASEAN Catalytic Green Finance Facility is supporting the recently approved sustainable transport project EDSA Greenways in the Philippines. Photo credit: ADB.
Article
31 March 2021

What Is the Green Recovery Program in Southeast Asia?

ASEAN plans to build back cleaner after COVID-19 by investing in sustainable transport, clean energy, and low-carbon agriculture.
ASEAN’s unified response to the pandemic has allowed countries to contain the spread of the virus. Photo credit: ADB.
Article
11 February 2021

To Build Back Better, Southeast Asia Needs to Collaborate More, Be Inclusive, Green, and Digital

With no clear end in sight for the pandemic, Southeast Asian countries need to work together to sustain recovery under the new normal.
ASEAN Catalytic Green Finance Facility 2019–2020: Accelerating Green Finance in Southeast Asia
Publication
31 January 2021

ASEAN Catalytic Green Finance Facility 2019–2020: Accelerating Green Finance in Southeast Asia

This report looks at the achievements of ACGF from the pilot phase between 2019 and 2021.
Reaping the Benefits of Industry 4.0 through Skills Development in High-Growth Industries in Southeast Asia: Insights from Cambodia, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Viet Nam cover.
Publication
28 January 2021

Reaping the Benefits of Industry 4.0 through Skills Development in High-Growth Industries in Southeast Asia: Insights from Cambodia, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Viet Nam

This report examines how the Fourth Industrial Revolution could benefit Southeast Asian countries.
ASEAN wants media organizations to offer closed caption, audio description, and sign language in their broadcasts. Photo credit: ADB.
Article
14 January 2021

ASEAN Wants to Give People with Disabilities Better Access to Digital Broadcasts

ASEAN broadcast organizations will be encouraged to offer closed caption, audio description, and sign language services.
The MOU covers the ASEAN List of Essential Goods, which covers mostly medicines and medical supplies and also includes soaps, disinfectants, and face masks. Photo credit: ADB.
News
28 December 2020

ASEAN Removes Trade Barriers on Medicines and Other Essential Goods

Ten countries in Southeast Asia are removing restrictions on intraregional trade of medicines and other goods needed to fight COVID-19.
The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) Agreement is expected to improve market access, build regional supply chains, increase investments and opportunities, and boost economic recovery efforts during the COVID-19 crisis. Photo credit: ADB.
News
24 November 2020

5 Things You Need to Know about ASEAN’s Biggest Trade Agreement

The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership groups the 10 ASEAN member states and its 5 regional partners: Australia, the People’s Republic of China, Japan, Republic of Korea, and New Zealand.
The deal will improve market access with tariffs and quotas eliminated in over 65% of goods traded. Photo credit: iStock/AvigatorPhotographer.
News
18 November 2020

ASEAN Signs World’s Biggest Trade Pact with 5 Other Partners

The deal covers a market of 2.2 billion people with a combined size of $26.2 trillion.
In a meeting in April, ASEAN tourism ministers affirmed that digital technology can transform the tourism sector by making travelers’ journeys more seamless and memorable. Photo credit: ADB.
News
13 November 2020

ASEAN Leaders Commit to Use Digital Tools to Spur Tourism

Technology should be used to enhance the sector’s competitiveness, facilitate growth, and develop sustainable tourism.
Green finance aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and boost climate resilience. Photo credit: ADB.
Article
6 November 2020

Green Finance and Digitalization Key to ASEAN Countries’ Recovery from COVID-19

Region facing huge challenges as the pandemic squeezed government budgets.
Green Finance cover
Publication
16 October 2020

Green Finance Strategies for Post-COVID-19 Economic Recovery in Southeast Asia

This report looks at innovative finance mechanisms that can fund green recovery in the wake of the pandemic.
ADB’s Rapid COVID-19 Response in Southeast Asia cover.
Publication
13 October 2020

ADB’s Rapid COVID-19 Response in Southeast Asia

This brochure provides an overview of how ADB is assisting Southeast Asian countries fight the COVID-19 pandemic.
Regional cooperation and integration has played an important role in Asia by promoting peace and stability in the region, intra-regional trade, investment, and the provision of regional public goods. Photo credit: ADB.
Article
7 October 2020

Regional Cooperation Programs Like ASEAN Helped Spur Asia’s Growth

Established in 1967 to strengthen security, ASEAN has transformed into an economic cooperation grouping.