ARTICLES

26 Jan 2024

Connectivity and Resilience in the ASEAN Power Grid 2.0 under Laos’ ASEAN Chairmanship

Sharon Seah|Mirza Sadaqat Huda

Sharon Seah and Mirza Sadaqat Huda examine Laos’ potential role in leading regional energy interconnectivity in ASEAN.

8 Jan 2024

Towards AEC 2025 and Beyond: Making the Most of Laos’ 2024 ASEAN Chairmanship

Sanchita Basu Das|Julia Tijaja

Sanchita Basu Das and Julia Tijaja suggest ways in which Laos can advance its Chairmanship priorities under the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC).

ASEAN ASEAN Connectivity ASEANFocus Economic Development Laos

21 Dec 2023

Laos as ASEAN Chair: Flying into Headwinds

Joanne Lin

Joanne Lin looks at Laos’ priorities as ASEAN Chair next year and examines the challenges that the country will face.

ASEAN ASEANFocus Laos

27 Nov 2023

Digging Deeper with DEFA

Kristina Fong Siew Leng

As the first round of negotiations for the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA) approaches, Kristina Fong discusses critical aspects to consider that will make the DEFA successful in bridging the digital divide and facilitating more meaningful digital integration.

ASEAN ASEAN Connectivity ASEANFocus Digitalisation

18 Oct 2023

The Courteous Charmer: A Hard Look at Japan’s Soft Power in Southeast Asia

Indira Zahra Aridati

Indira Zahra Aridati examines the rise of Japanese soft power across Southeast Asia and its many facets.

ASEAN ASEANFocus Japan Japan-Southeast Asia Relations

13 Oct 2023

Is Laos Able to Make a Difference in the Myanmar Crisis?

Joanne Lin

Joanne Lin looks at the crisis in Myanmar and recommends possible strategies for Laos to move the needle on the issue, ahead of its ASEAN Chairmanship next year.

ASEAN ASEANFocus Laos Myanmar

12 Oct 2023

The Rise of the Live Music Industry in Southeast Asia

Neo Hui Yun Rebecca

Neo Hui Yun Rebecca analyses the rising demand for live music shows in Southeast Asia and how regional countries can tap into this opportunity.

ASEAN ASEANFocus Regional Cooperation Tourism

6 Oct 2023

A New Chapter in ASEAN-Japan Relations

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.

ASEAN ASEANFocus Japan

5 Oct 2023

Changing Political Landscapes and Leadership Transitions in Southeast Asia

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.

ASEAN ASEANFocus

29 Sep 2023

Rise of Unicorns in Southeast Asia

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.

ASEAN ASEANFocus Economic Development Technology