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ASEAN Prioritizes AI Regulation and Digital Economy Framework at 49th Summit

ASEAN Prioritizes AI Regulation and Digital Economy Framework at 49th Summit

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is set to make artificial intelligence (AI) a central topic at its 49th Summit in November. According to Dominic Xavier Imperial, Executive Director of the DFA ASEAN Office, AI is prominently featured in discussions under the Philippine chairship. The summit is expected to include the signing of the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA), a legally binding, region-wide agreement aimed at establishing common rules for digital trade and data flows. Discussions will also cover a statement on AI-powered growth for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), and the application of AI in healthcare, including medical diagnosis, and its role in addressing climate change. While AI is a high-priority agenda item, current reports do not indicate the adoption of a binding AI law or a licensing regime for frontier AI models at this summit. ASEAN's current AI governance framework primarily consists of voluntary guides, such as the 2024 Guide on AI Governanc...
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ASEAN Nations Establish Joint Oil Stockpiling Scheme with Indonesia and Thailand as Hubs

ASEAN Nations Establish Joint Oil Stockpiling Scheme with Indonesia and Thailand as Hubs

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has agreed to implement a joint oil product stockpiling scheme, with Indonesia and Thailand designated as primary storage hubs. This initiative, slated to commence as early as 2027, aims to bolster regional energy security, particularly in response to supply disruptions stemming from the conflict in Iran. The system will operate on a 'ticket system,' allowing participating countries or companies to pre-pay for the right to purchase specific volumes of oil products stored in other member states during emergencies. This mechanism, similar to one utilized in the European Union, enables access to energy supplies without each nation needing to construct its own storage facilities. The Philippines is expected to be among the first to utilize this system, with its national oil company affiliate scheduled to sign memoranda of understanding with storage operators in Indonesia and Thailand. The Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA), established ...
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China International Import Expo Highlights Asia-Pacific Economic Growth and Collaboration

China International Import Expo Highlights Asia-Pacific Economic Growth and Collaboration

China International Import Expo Highlights Asia-Pacific Economic Growth and Collaboration
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Fortify Rights Urges ASEAN to Designate Myanmar Junta as Security Threat, Implement Concrete Measures

Fortify Rights Urges ASEAN to Designate Myanmar Junta as Security Threat, Implement Concrete Measures

Fortify Rights, a human rights organization, has called upon leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to recognize the Myanmar military junta's attacks on civilians as a demonstrable threat to regional peace and security. The organization urges ASEAN to adopt concrete measures to address the situation during its upcoming summit in Manila. Fortify Rights specifically recommends that ASEAN refuse to recognize the junta as Myanmar's legitimate government, agree on measures to protect civilians, and pursue accountability for mass atrocity crimes. Since the February 2021 coup, the Myanmar military has been responsible for ongoing mass atrocity crimes, including war crimes, crimes against humanity, and the Rohingya genocide, leading to mass refugee outflows and humanitarian emergencies. Despite ASEAN's Five-Point Consensus, established in April 2021 to address the crisis, the junta has flouted each point, and its attacks on civilians continue unabated. The U.S. has also engaged in direct tal...
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Southeast Asian Nations Face Escalating Cyber Threats to Critical Infrastructure

Southeast Asian Nations Face Escalating Cyber Threats to Critical Infrastructure

Southeast Asian nations are experiencing a significant increase in cyber threats targeting critical infrastructure, prompting heightened alert levels and urgent calls for enhanced cybersecurity measures. Malaysia recently elevated its National Cyber Security Threat Level from Low to Medium, citing concerns over critical infrastructure. Simultaneously, Indonesia's banking, financial, and insurance sectors reported over 1.2 million detected cyberattack attempts within a 24-hour period, leading the Financial Services Authority (OJK) to coordinate preventive actions with banks. In Singapore, telecommunications providers like Singtel, StarHub, M1, and SIMBA were targeted by the cyber-espionage group UNC3886 in February 2026, although no service disruption or sensitive customer data theft was reported. These incidents reflect a global trend of rising cyberattacks, with Check Point Research noting a 36% increase in weekly attacks per organization between May and September 2026.
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AEI Event to Discuss U.S.-China Economic Decoupling and Global Fragmentation

AEI Event to Discuss U.S.-China Economic Decoupling and Global Fragmentation

The American Enterprise Institute (AEI) is hosting an event titled 'China, America, and the Fragmentation of the Global Economy: A Conversation with Aaron Friedberg.' The discussion will center on the increasing partial decoupling of the U.S. and Chinese economies, a phenomenon Friedberg refers to as the 'derisking race.' This race involves both nations striving to reduce their vulnerabilities to coercion or attack while simultaneously seeking to gain leverage over the other. This strategic competition is already leading to a fragmentation of the global economy and is expected to significantly reshape international trade and investment for years to come. Friedberg will delve into the historical roots of this derisking race and explain why competition and decoupling across strategic industries will be a defining characteristic of the future U.S.-China economic relationship.
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Dollar set for best week in two months, weak yen captures Tokyo's attention

Dollar set for best week in two months, weak yen captures Tokyo's attention

By Javi West Larrañaga GDANSK, Nov 13 (Reuters) - The dollar held near 19-month highs on Friday and was set for its biggest weekly rise in two months as bets on a larger rate hike pushed up US yields and the yen hovered around the 160 mark, prompting Tokyo to warn it would respond to excessive moves
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Southeast Asia Requires $7.1 Trillion Infrastructure Investment by 2040, ADB Report States

Southeast Asia Requires $7.1 Trillion Infrastructure Investment by 2040, ADB Report States

Southeast Asia will need an estimated $7.1 trillion in infrastructure investment by 2040 to sustain its economic expansion, according to a report by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) titled 'The $7 Trillion Challenge: Building Tomorrow’s ASEAN.' This substantial investment is also crucial for enhancing energy security and establishing resilient regional links across the 11 ASEAN member nations. The report projects annual expenditure requirements of $476 billion between 2026 and 2040, which is equivalent to 8.7% of the region’s gross domestic product. Currently, public spending covers only 45% of this demand, leaving an annual funding shortfall of $264 billion. Power and transport sectors account for 85% of the projected demand, with road networks alone requiring nearly $2 trillion and digital infrastructure needing $584 billion.
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Southeast Asian leaders, with US and Chinese counterparts, will renew alarm over online scams

Southeast Asian leaders, with US and Chinese counterparts, will renew alarm over online scams

Southeast Asian leaders and key counterparts, including from the U.S. and China, are raising alarms over online scams
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Global Growth Projected to Rise in 2027 Despite Current Economic Strains

Global Growth Projected to Rise in 2027 Despite Current Economic Strains

Global growth is anticipated to increase from 3.0% in 2026 to 3.3% in 2027, according to Caixabank Research. This projection suggests a return to growth levels observed over the past decade and aligns with medium-term forecasts. The gradual easing of the energy shock and continued technological advancements are cited as primary drivers for this expected rise. However, the global economic landscape remains complex, characterized by what the IMF describes as 'resilience under strain.' Regional variations in growth are expected, with the U.S. projected to slow slightly to 1.9% in 2027 from 2.1% in 2026. The euro area is expected to gain momentum, accelerating from 1.0% to 1.4%, while China's growth is anticipated to moderate from 4.5% to 4.0%. Stronger growth in other emerging economies is expected to partially offset the slowdown in these major blocs. The global economy has demonstrated resilience amidst various shocks, including geopolitical events and energy disruptions, supported by strong private-sector ...
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Trump is taking Elon Musk on his Asia trip, but he plans to avoid talking about Nvidia scandal

Trump is taking Elon Musk on his Asia trip, but he plans to avoid talking about Nvidia scandal

President Donald Trump plans to take the world’s wealthiest man, Elon Musk, with him next week when he travels to the Philippines and China
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XPRIZE Foundation Proposes Global Trade Exchange to Enhance Supply Chain Resilience and Small Business Growth

XPRIZE Foundation Proposes Global Trade Exchange to Enhance Supply Chain Resilience and Small Business Growth

XPRIZE Foundation Proposes Global Trade Exchange to Enhance Supply Chain Resilience and Small Business Growth