Governments and non-government organisations can help newly formed producer groups, such as by subsidising costly organic or Fairtrade certification fees, until these farmer groups are financially self-reliant.
Author Archives: Lyd w
Vietnam Not Veering Closer to United States or China
It is not in Vietnam’s national interest to be overly dependent on China or the United States. Hanoi is expected to continue to press ahead with efforts to build on its ties with the two major powers as part of its multi-directional foreign policy. There are, however, limits to both approaches.
Setbacks for Moscow, Progress for Kyiv: The Russia-Ukraine War and its Impact on the ASEAN, G20 and APEC Summits
The Russia-Ukraine War complicated but did not derail the ASEAN, G20 and APEC summits in Southeast Asia.
The State of Indonesia’s Digital Economy in 2022
This Long Read examines how the digital sector has transformed Indonesia’s economy during the pandemic. It analyses changes in consumer behaviour and assesses the prospects for sustainable growth for various digital services segments.
Considering the Optimism of Azyumardi Azra: The Future of Islam in Southeast Asia
The late renowned Muslim scholar Azyumardi Azra had unlimited optimism about Southeast Asia’s position as the future of Islam.
The G20 Summit: Who Makes the World’s Rules?
The Group of 7 are relatively aligned in their perceptions of global challenges, particularly when it comes to strategic competitors such as China and Russia, but the same perceptions do not hold true when it comes to the remaining members of the bigger Group of 20.
ASEAN’s Season of Summitry: More Hits or Misses?
Going into 2022, ASEAN flew into a perfect storm of challenges within and without. With the annual ASEAN summits over, the grouping is none the worse for the wear.
Polarised but Hopeful: How Malaysia’s Gen Zs May Vote, and Why
This Long Read features the findings of a recent poll on the voter sentiments of Malaysia’s Gen Zs. A majority of Gen Zs hold low trust in the political actors that are running the country but are nonetheless still politically engaged. 79 per cent of them say that they will most likely turn out to vote in the coming election.
Putting Sustainability at the Heart of the ASEAN Community Post-2025 Vision
If ASEAN’s Coordinating Council comprising its foreign ministers and their High-level Task Force manages to influence their national leaders to make the right moves despite global uncertainty, ASEAN’s environmental, socio-economic and cultural future can be set on the right, albeit steeper, trajectory.
Pakatan Harapan and Malay Heartland Voters: The Need to Stay Grounded
Pakatan Harapan has its work cut out for it in seeking to defend or even take new seats in Malay-majority constituencies. In such seats, the coalition needs to work close to the ground and address quotidian issues, rather than stressing national-level matters.