Vinod Thomas
As COP 28 approaches, Southeast Asia policymakers see the need for climate adaptation as well as mitigation. But there is an urgent need to encourage multiple sources of finance in this arena.
Yanuar Nugroho|Maria Monica Wihardja
Digital technology has played a vital role in empowering political participation and shaping political discourse in Indonesia, but more must be done to curb divisive rhetoric and disinformation — and to safeguard democracy.
Kevin Zhang
The recent by-elections in Johor are a shot across the bow for the Unity Government.
Kunihiko Hirabayashi
ASEANFocus is privileged to feature the Secretary-General of the ASEAN-Japan Centre, Dr Kunihiko Hirabayashi. He provides a perspective on the ASEAN-Japan relationship after 50 years, and how Japan intends to substantiate the new Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with ASEAN.
Alexander R. Arifianto|Aries A. Arugay|Chheang Vannarith|Le Hong Hiep|Francis E. Hutchinson|Napon Jatusripitak|Eugene Tan
Electoral politics have been heating up in Southeast Asia after the COVID-19 pandemic. The Philippines and Malaysia elected new leaders in 2022. Vietnam underwent a major leadership change after President Nguyen Xuan Phuc tendered his resignation. Voters in Thailand and Cambodia, headed to the ballot box to elect their representatives, while Singapore voted for a new president this year. 2024 will be a fascinating year for Indonesia as the largest democracy in the region will hold its presidential election. ASEANFocus invites experts to assess the changing political landscape and leadership transitions in Southeast Asia, and its implications for society and regional stability.
Lee Sue-Ann
Amid intensifying Sino-US competition, the strategic conversation between the United States and Southeast Asia is in danger of being stuck in a rut. While messages from the region's leaders to their American counterparts have been received, the latter see these refrains as hackneyed. It is high time for Southeast Asia to internalise the shifts in Uncle Sam's approach to the region and proceed accordingly.
Mirza Sadaqat Huda|Sharon Seah
The latest Southeast Asian Climate Outlook shows that people in the region generally have positive perceptions about the transition from fossil fuels to sustainable energy. But they are wary of the potential impacts of such a transition on bread and butter issues.
Elyssa Kaur Ludher
Even before the recent rice price rises, Southeast Asians have been experiencing food insecurity and had growing concerns about climate impacts on food security. The ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute’s recent Climate Outlook Survey 2023 provides a snapshot of the scale of this concern.
Tham Siew Yean
Tham Siew Yean examines the state of startup developments across Southeast Asia, delving deeper into the success of unicorns in Singapore and the newest unicorn hub of Indonesia.
Lili Yan Ing|Ivana Markus
Lili Yan Ing and Ivana Markus take stock of the current state of the global semiconductor race between China and the United States, and how the ASEAN region should navigate the growing rivalry.