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Asean Insights Content

Cover of harmonization of SPS measures.
Publication
16 January 2025

Harmonization of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures for Greater Mekong Subregion Countries

This brief shows that harmonizing sanitary and phytosanitary measures among GMS countries can help lower trade barriers and signal product quality to consumers.
Two wheelers like mopeds and and scooters, as well as higher-powered motorcycles, and three wheelers, like tricycles, are among those categorized as electric light vehicles under the ASEAN guidelines. Photo credit: ADB.
Article
14 January 2025

Paving the Way for ASEAN to Adopt Electric Motorcycles

While the electrification of cars is on the agenda in many countries, two and three-wheelers are still largely out of scope as the region decarbonizes.
The world’s largest semiconductor companies are in Southeast Asia. Photo credit: ADB.
News
9 January 2025

Southeast Asia to Grow 4.7% in 2024 on the back of Strong Exports and Public Spending

Manufacturing and trade benefited from the global electronics upturn and shifts in global supply chains.
The Mekong, along with Chao Phraya, Citarum, and Hong are often cited as the most important rivers of Southeast Asia because of their significant geological features, biodiversity, and economic benefits. Photo credit: ADB.
Article
7 January 2025

In Southeast Asia, Rivers Are Under Siege

Reversing alarming biodiversity losses in the region's most important rivers call for nature-based solutions, policy interventions, and innovative financing mechanisms.
Cover of Accelerating Green Bonds for Municipalities in Southeast Asia.
Publication
6 January 2025

Accelerating Green Bonds for Municipalities in Southeast Asia

This report examines how green, social, and sustainable bonds can help municipalities raise capital to finance climate-resilient infrastructure and drive green, inclusive growth.
Climate-Resilient Fiscal Management: Experience from Southeast Asia
Publication
25 November 2024

Climate-Resilient Fiscal Management: Experience from Southeast Asia

This report considers how finance ministries can respond strategically to climate risk, highlighting good practices from the region.
Podcast
30 May 2024

Experts Talk Solutions: Annabel Lee

Annabel Lee, director of digital policy for Asia–Pacific and Japan, and ASEAN at Amazon Web Services, talks about DEFA and its potential to double the size of the region's digital economy.
Smart Tourism Ecosystem Development Readiness in Southeast Asia
Publication
2 May 2024

Smart Tourism Ecosystem Development Readiness in Southeast Asia

This brief tracks how Southeast Asian countries are using smart technologies to make their tourism sectors more competitive, inclusive, and sustainable.
The criteria for the transportation and storage sector were aligned where appropriate with relevant sectoral guidelines and regulations, such as the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) 2023 GHG Emissions strategy. Photo credit: ADB.
News
17 April 2024

ASEAN Taxonomy Defines Sustainable Activities in Transport, Construction Sectors

Southeast Asia advanced efforts to guide capital and funding toward sustainable activities in carbon-intensive sectors.
Super Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda) devastated the central Philippines in November 2013. Warming oceans have affected the intensity of tropical storms. Photo credit: ADB.
News
4 April 2024

ASEAN Finance Ministers Take On Pivotal Role in Climate Action

The planned ASEAN Climate Finance Policy Platform will enable knowledge exchange, generate evidence and build capacity, and develop policy frameworks.
Climate-related disasters, such as severe typhoons and floods, depress tax revenues and require governments to spend public resources on immediate-term emergency response and reconstruction costs. Photo credit: ADB.
News
3 April 2024

ADB Readies ASEAN Climate Finance Policy Platform

The role of finance ministries is becoming increasingly pivotal in addressing climate-related fiscal risks and mobilizing climate finance.
Reuse of Electric Vehicle Batteries in ASEAN
Publication
28 March 2024

Reuse of Electric Vehicle Batteries in ASEAN

As e-vehicle adoption grows, policymakers must anticipate and establish systems for recycling batteries.
Economic growth in Southeast Asia continues to be constrained by weakened global demand. Photo credit: ADB.
News
3 January 2024

Southeast Asia’s Growth Slows on Weak External Demand

Low demand for manufacturing exports affected particularly the more open, bigger, and trade-oriented economies.
Renewable Energy Investments and Feed-in Tariffs: Firm-Level Evidence from Southeast Asia
Publication
27 December 2023

Renewable Energy Investments and Feed-in Tariffs: Firm-Level Evidence from Southeast Asia

This study examines the impact of feed-in tariffs on promoting investments in renewable energy in Southeast Asia.
Commuters using their mobile phones on the Skytrain in Bangkok. Photo credit: ADB.
Article
19 December 2023

Why ASEAN's Digital Economy Framework Agreement Could Make the Region the New Digital Powerhouse

The agreement could double the size of ASEAN's digital economy by 2030 and help MSMEs and startups in the region embrace digital transformation.