ARTICLES

14 Jul 2021

ASEAN’s Covid-19 Recovery Measures: Missing Opportunities for a Green Future

Melinda Martinus|Sharon Seah

As of 28 May 2021, ASEAN countries had authorised a total of US$ 730 billion, equivalent to 7.8% of ASEAN’s total GDP, in stimulus dollars. But few ASEAN countries have prioritised green components to their Covid-19 stimulus packages.

workers fixing a floater onto a solar panel as part of the construction of a floating solar power farm on Tengeh reservoir in Singapore

30 Jun 2021

Trade and Environmental Disputes May Persist Despite Promising Leaders’ Summit on Climate

Melinda Martinus|Qiu Jiahui

At the recent Leaders’ Summit on Climate Change convened by the Biden Administration, several ASEAN leaders emphasised the principle of differentiating levels of economic development between states in their response to climate change. Finding a balance between this principle and ambitious climate targets remains a challenge.

ASEAN Asean Trade Climate Change E.U. Environment US

28 Jun 2021

Give It Another Shot, Uncle Sam

Charles Dunst

As it pertains to Washington’s relations with Southeast Asia, the Biden Administration is not faring much better than its predecessor. A low-hanging fruit would be the supply of Covid-19 vaccines.

ASEAN China-U.S. Relations COVID-19 Southeast Asia US Vaccine Diplomacy

24 Jun 2021

Southeast Asia and Food Price Inflation: Double Whammy

Paul Teng

Across the world, climate change and Covid-19 disruptions have led to rising food prices in the past year. Southeast Asian countries, which have not been immune to such challenges, need to build resilience in their food security policies.

ASEAN Climate Change COVID-19 Southeast Asia

18 Jun 2021

Time for ASEAN to Have a Female Secretary-General?

Apichai Sunchindah|Sharon Seah

As ASEAN faces the twin crises of the coup in Myanmar and the raging Covid-19 pandemic, it might well be time to consider a female at the helm of the grouping’s secretariat.

ASEAN

14 Jun 2021

The Myanmar Challenge to ASEAN

Choi Shing Kwok

Recent developments have shown how fragile and tricky ASEAN’s quest to help Myanmar will be.

ASEAN ASEAN Unity Myanmar

11 Jun 2021

A New Height of ASEAN-China Relations? Not Quite, Not Yet

Hoang Thi Ha

China and ASEAN had a fairly successful meeting in Chongqing recently. But the conclusion that Beijing has orchestrated a win over Washington in Southeast Asia is premature.

ASEAN ASEAN-China Relations South China Sea

11 Jun 2021

ASEAN’s Climate Cooperation with China and the US: Challenges and Prospects

Sharon Seah

The US is back in the international climate cooperation game, but it has a lot to catch up on to make up for the last four years when it chose not to play.

ASEAN China Environment US

4 Jun 2021

Brunei’s Visit to Myanmar: No Time to Run Down the Clock

Evan A. Laksmana

A team from Brunei is reportedly visiting Myanmar this weekend. The aims of the visit are yet unclear. Still, Brunei, as ASEAN Chair, should first announce the identity of the grouping’s Special Envoy to the country and empower him or her with the necessary resources to carry out the task at hand.

ASEAN Brunei Myanmar