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Asean Insights Content

The Independent High-Level Expert Group on Climate Finance estimates that $6.3 trillion–$6.7 trillion in global investment is required annually by 2030 to deliver the Paris Agreement. Photo credit: ADB.
Article
24 September 2025

Climate Risks and Fiscal Health: Three Takeaways for Southeast Asia

With enhanced tools, inter-agency coordination, and capacity building, finance ministries can significantly accelerate the development of climate-resilient fiscal systems.
Trade integration in Asia and the Pacific is now comparable to that of the European Union plus the United Kingdom. Photo credit: ADB.
News
13 August 2025

Southeast Asia Leads Regional Integration in Asia as Subregional Programs Become More Integrated—ADB

Robust trade networks, solid financial linkages, and substantial movement of people across Asia credited for Southeast Asia's lead in regional integration.
More than 90% of the businesses in BIMP-EAGA are comprised of MSMEs, making them a key growth engine. Photo credit: ADB.
Article
28 July 2025

Developing Growth Pathways for MSMEs in BIMP-EAGA

The cooperation program strives to enhance MSME competitiveness, specialization, and innovation through capacity building, market access, and digital tools.
The region is expected to become the 4th largest economy by 2050, with the industrial sector contributing 37.5%, or more than one-third, of the region’s economy. Photo credit: iStock/EyeEm Mobile GmbH.
News
9 July 2025

ASEAN to Catalyze High-Impact Industrial Projects

Favorable macro-trends are creating an opportunity for ASEAN to accelerate industrial cooperation through regional complementarity.
ASEAN needs $3.7 trillion to $6.7 trillion in green investments. Setting up a regional enewable energy certificate system is expected to increase investments in renewable energy and help realize the ASEAN Power Grid vision of a fully integrated system by supporting cross-border electricity trade. Photo credit: ADB.
Article
2 July 2025

Harnessing the Potential of Renewable Energy Certificates to Finance ASEAN’s Energy Transition

A project supported by the BIMP-EAGA–Republic of Korea Fund provides a conceptual framework for creating a regional market.
Light and sound show at Gardens by the Bay. Singapore serves as the benchmark for smart destinations in the region because of its high level of digitalization. Photo credit: iStock/kitzcorner.
Article
25 June 2025

Why Smart Destinations Are More Sustainable

Digitalization can transform the whole tourism value chain and enhance tourism’s contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals.
About 97% of deep tech ventures strive to meet at least one of the SDGs, says a new report. Photo credit: iStock/Siam Virachitevin.
Article
21 May 2025

Unlocking Deep Tech’s Potential for Sustainable Development in ASEAN+3

Strengthening the overall ecosystem should be a priority while taking into account the disparities in market, infrastructure, human capital, and technology creation.
Building Supply Chain Resilience: Insights Into Greening Value Chains for ASEAN—A Collective Intelligence Playbook cover.
Publication
19 May 2025

Building Supply Chain Resilience: Insights Into Greening Value Chains for ASEAN—A Collective Intelligence Playbook

This publication shares insights from Malaysia on ways of supporting businesses—particularly SMEs—to accelerate decarbonization and strengthen supply chain resilience.
To sustain tourism’s recovery, ASEAN member states are implementing more robust policies and initiatives, including relaxing visa application processes for international travelers and diversification of tourism offerings. Photo credit: iStock/Vatanika Chanachai.
Article
6 May 2025

ASEAN Seeks Shift to Sustainable and Inclusive Tourism as Sector Continues Recovery

Member countries vow enhanced collaboration to boost sector noting its importance to the region’s economy.
Deep tech report cover.
Publication
10 April 2025

Bolstering Deep Tech Entrepreneurship for Sustainable Development in the ASEAN+3 Countries

This study examines ways to bolster deep tech entrepreneurship for sustainable development in ASEAN+3 countries.
Target households in Surigao del Norte receive Solar Cloudgrid units. Photos courtesy of Light of Hope PH.
Article
9 April 2025

Portable Solar Kits Empower Off-Grid Communities in Surigao del Norte

A project supported by the BIMP-EAGA–Republic of Korea Cooperation Fund is giving low-income families in disaster-prone areas access to clean, affordable energy.
High-quality education and skills development remain significant challenges for ASEAN, as evidenced by key international metrics. Photo credit: ADB.
Article
7 March 2025

ASEAN Hasn’t Got Talent

Fostering a supportive ecosystem for talent attraction and retention is essential to encourage innovation-driven growth in host countries and local communities.
For decades, technology has revolutionized the travel industry, but the rapid evolution of artificial intelligence (AI) promises to accelerate this transformation. Photo credit: ADB.
Article
26 February 2025

Digitalization and AI: Catalysts for Quality Tourism in Southeast Asia

AI and related technologies offer transformative opportunities to advance a country’s tourism vision.
ASEAN is a major producer and exporter of palm oil, crude rubber, rice, sugar, seafood, and fruits. Photo credit: ADB.
News
13 February 2025

ASEAN Vows Coordinated Action in Shift to Sustainable Agriculture

Leaders adopt action plan detailing strategies aimed at optimizing existing approaches and exploring innovative initiatives promoting sustainable agriculture.
Despite Southeast Asia’s youthful population, with 380 million people under the age of 35, many still lack essential digital skills. Photo credit: ADB.
Article
5 February 2025

Harnessing Digital Platforms for Southeast Asia’s Inclusive Prosperity

To realize the full public benefit of digital platforms, the region must prioritize investments in digital public infrastructure and foundational technologies.