ARTICLES

Environmental activists and supporters take part in a demonstration in front of the United Nations building, where experts from across the planet locked in key talks aimed at breathing life into the Paris Agreement on climate change, in Bangkok.

3 Oct 2023

Perceptions of Energy Transition in Southeast Asia: Between Hope and Fear

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.

Environmental activists hold a sign that says "stop trying to make coal happen, its never going to happen" during an Earth Day rally on April 22, 2022 in Bangkok, Thailand. Environmental activists, led by students from the Grin Green International group, march on Earth Day from Lumpini Park in Central Bangkok to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Development to request that Thailand prioritize its switch to renewable energy.

18 Sep 2023

Climate Resilience in Southeast Asia: Adapt and Mitigate Before It’s Too Late

Vinod Thomas

Southeast Asia must prioritise climate resilience, encompassing adaptation and mitigation. The process must be strategically managed, informed by data and applied across a broad range of solutions.

Climate Change Southeast Asia

It was announced in July that Qin Gang was removed as China's foreign minister and Wang Yi was re-appointed in his stead.

15 Aug 2023

Personnel Changes at China’s Foreign Ministry: Beijing Will Stay the Course on Southeast Asia

Lye Liang Fook

Recent top-level changes at China’s foreign ministry are unlikely to affect Beijing’s foreign policy orientation towards Southeast Asia. The region remains important in light of China’s difficult relationship with the United States and other key countries.

China Diplomacy Southeast Asia

1 Jun 2023

The Shangri-La Dialogue at 20

James Crabtree

In this episode, William Choong, managing editor of Fulcrum, talks to James Crabtree, executive director of the International Institute for Strategic Studies (Asia), the London-headquartered think tank which runs the annual Shangri-La Dialogue. Held annually, the Dialogue covers a broad range of regional security issues. This year, the focus will likely be on the state of Sino-U.S. relations.

China Defence Dialogues at Fulcrum Southeast Asia U.S.

14 Apr 2023

Fertiliser Security for Food Security in Southeast Asia: Going Local and Circular

Elyssa Kaur Ludher

Southeast Asia is highly dependent on a volatile global supply of synthetic fertilisers. Local fertiliser production by natural means, through novel innovations, offer more sustainable alternatives worthy of policy action.

Agriculture Food Security Southeast Asia

23 Feb 2023

Ukraine and Southeast Asia: Implications One Year On

Kateryna Zelenko|C. Raja Mohan

In this episode of Dialogues at Fulcrum, Dr William Choong, Managing Editor of Fulcrum, talks to Ambassador Kateryna Zelenko and Prof C. Raja Mohan about the implications of the war against Ukraine on Southeast Asia. Ambassador Zelenko is the Ukrainian ambassador to Singapore and long-serving diplomat with her country’s Foreign Ministry. Prof Mohan is a Senior Fellow at the Asia Society Policy Institute in New Delhi, a contributing editor on International affairs at the Indian Express and a visiting professor at the Institute of South Asian Studies at the National University of Singapore.

Armed Conflict Dialogues at Fulcrum Russia Southeast Asia Ukraine

22 Feb 2023

Southeast Asians Mull Over a Taiwan Conflict: Big Concerns But Limited Choices

William Choong|Hoang Thi Ha

In the event of hostilities in the Taiwan Strait, Southeast Asian countries will face a difficult dilemma. Their latitude for manoeuvre will be limited, particularly as the Philippines, a key ASEAN member and a U.S. treaty ally, prepares to provide base access to the United States in such a contingency.

China Southeast Asia State of Southeast Asia Survey Taiwan U.S.

31 Jan 2023

Southeast Asia Needs a Strong Vision on Climate-Resilient Economy

Prapimphan Chiengkul

Transitioning to climate-resilient economies in Southeast Asia requires fundamental rethinking on how we measure economic development, tackle economic inequality, and reform global economic governance.

Climate Change Environment Southeast Asia

9 Jan 2023

Will South Korea’s Indo-Pacific Strategy Make a Difference?

Joanne Lin|Sean King

South Korea’s new Indo-Pacific strategy underscores the country’s ambitions to be a “global pivotal state”. Seoul seeks to effect a careful balance: inclining towards the US-led grouping advocating a “free and open Indo-Pacific”, while at the same time engaging China.

Indo-Pacific South Korea Southeast Asia

2 Dec 2022

Café Culture and Sustainable Development in Southeast Asia

Prapimphan Chiengkul

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.

Agriculture Labour Exploitation Southeast Asia Sustainable Development