ASEAN looks to tackle organised crime
ASEAN member states met at the United Nations to set up a framework for border control cooperation as latest statistics showed that illicit trade and organised crime amounts to $100 billion in the region.
ASEAN member states met at the United Nations to set up a framework for border control cooperation as latest statistics showed that illicit trade and organised crime amounts to $100 billion in the region.
ASEAN International Relations Lead Story News
Southeast Asian leaders will focus on trade wars, the crisis in Burma and security tensions in the disputed South China Sea at a summit this weekend, but it’s highly unlikely there will be any headline-grabbing progress on the issues.
ASEAN International Relations Lead Story News
Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said she will raise human rights concerns with Burmese and Cambodian leaders during a three-day summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) that begins in Sydney on Friday.
The terrorist threat facing Southeast Asia is growing as foreign fighters return to the region, Southeast Asian defence ministers said in a joint statement on Tuesday in which they pledged to improve cooperation to tackle militancy.
ASEAN International Relations Lead Story News
Six Southeast Asian nations launched an intelligence pact on Thursday aimed at combating Islamist militants and improving cooperation on security threats, overcoming what analysts described as a high level of distrust.
Prominent Thai and international figures and organisations have expressed condolences and paid tribute to former ASEAN Secretary-General Surin Pitsuwan, who died on Thursday at 68 after a sudden heart attack.
ASEAN Human Rights International Relations Lead Story News
Leaders of Asian nations meeting in Manila on Monday skirted around the mass exodus of Rohingya Muslims triggered by Burma’s military crackdown, disappointing human rights groups who were hoping for a tough stand on the humanitarian crisis.
Indonesia will propose a broad intelligence sharing initiative among members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to deal with the rising threat of radical Islamist militants, its defence minister says.
ASEAN Lead Story Migrants Issues News
The World Bank is urging ASEAN member countries to ease labour restrictions so migrant workers can earn money overseas to boost welfare and deepen economic integration.
Economy International Relations Lead Story News
China is ploughing money into Southeast Asia, but as welcome as all this economic activity is to the region, it could also present political problems, as countries confront China over issues such as its claims in the South China Sea.
ASEAN panelists in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, have warned populism and the rise of social media poses unique threats to democracy in the region.
The United States Agency for International Development Oceans and Fisheries Partnership (USAID Oceans) and UK satellite operator Inmarsat have signed a partnership agreement to improve traceability and promote sustainable fishing in Southeast Asia with the use of satellite communications.
ASEAN International Relations Lead Story News
Southeast Asian nations plan to use spy planes and drones to stem the movement of militants across their porous borders, defence officials said at the weekend, as concerns rise over the growing clout of the Islamic State in the region.
ASEAN Business Lead Story News Technology & Science
E-commerce in Southeast Asia is ripe for fast-paced growth given the region’s huge population and growing middle class, but countries need to address existing challenges to help the business reach its full potential, says a Google executive.
US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson urged Southeast Asian foreign ministers on Thursday to do more to help cut funding streams for North Korea’s nuclear and missile programs and to minimise diplomatic relations with Pyongyang.
ASEAN Crime International Relations Lead Story News
The first-ever regional centre set up to fight transnational crime in ASEAN and share information could be up and running by next year.
Analysis ASEAN Contributor International Relations Lead Story
Last year was one of rising terrorist activity for Southeast Asia, and 2017 could bring more of the same if steps are not taken to enhance counter-terrorism measures in the region.
Similar to the establishment of the EU, the AEC also seeks to create free mobility of goods, services, investment, capital and skilled labour.
Arakan ASEAN Lead Story News Rohingya
Was it a step forward or a flop? Whatever the verdict is, the 19 December “retreat” of ASEAN foreign ministers in Burma on the touchy Rohingya issue was itself the message.
Arakan ASEAN Human Rights Lead Story News Rohingya
Malaysia said on Monday the plight of Rohingya Muslims in Burma was a regional concern and called for the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) to coordinate humanitarian aid and investigate alleged atrocities committed against them.
Arakan ASEAN Human Rights Lead Story News Rohingya
Parliamentarians from Europe and fellow ASEAN nations were the latest to weigh in this week on the unfolding crisis in Arakan State, with a resolution in Brussels voicing concern over reports of human rights abuses and a group of regional lawmakers looking ahead to a 19 December meeting of foreign ministers to discuss the situation.
ASEAN Labour Issues Lead Story Migrants Issues News
Thailand, ASEAN and the Mekong subregion still do not have decent rightsbased regulations and safety nets in place to ensure justice for migrants, say nongovernmental organisations.
Arakan Lead Story News Rohingya
An ASEAN intergovernmental group has urged Burma’s government to address concerns about alleged abuses in northern Arakan and called on the UN and ASEAN to conduct an investigation.
Security will be tight in Rangoon and Napyidaw’ when the AFF Championship kicks off later this month following a series of unsavoury incidents involving hooliganism in recent years.
ASEAN Foreign Affairs Lead Story News
The Philippines’ Defence Ministry releases pictures showing Chinese boats near a disputed shoal in the South China Sea, just hours before an ASEAN meeting with China’s premier at a summit in Laos.
Southeast Asian leaders are set to avoid references to a recent arbitration ruling that undermined China’s claims to the South China Sea.
Southeast Asian nations fail to agree on maritime disputes in the South China Sea after Cambodia blocks any mention to an international court ruling against Beijing in their statement.
Obama, who leaves office next year, has championed a foreign policy pivot to Asia during his presidency and is determined to present the United States as a Pacific power.
Foreign Affairs Lead Story News Politics
Burmese foreign minister urges code of conduct, while China and US weigh in on islands dispute.
Former Malaysian Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad has called for the expulsion of Burma from ASEAN, claiming the country is giving the institution a “bad name”, according to Malaysian daily[…]