(CEBU CITY, Cebu) Senior officials of member economies of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) set forth this week the Renewed APEC Agenda for Structural Reform (RAASR) 2016-2020 to meet the needs and priorities of the economic bloc in the next five years and beyond. “We invite leaders of APEC economies leaders to jointly pledge to undertake robust, comprehensive and ambitious structural reforms to reduce inequality and stimulate growth in their economies,” APEC senior officials said […]
ASEAN IN FOCUS
Singapore’s ruling party contends with new voting majority
(Reuters) — When Singapore goes to the polls on Friday (September 11), Prime Minister Lee Hsieng Loong’s ruling People’s Action Party will face an unprecedented wave of young voters. For the first time, citizens born after the country’s independence in 1965 will likely account for the majority of voters in the general election. As of 2014, almost 54 per cent of citizens above 20 were born in 1965 and later. In 2010, the figure […]
Cebu sees more foreign investment from APEC hosting, says Gov. Davide
(CEBU CITY, Cebu) — Cebu’s provincial government is planning to create more economic zones and is drawing up strategies to enhance port facilities, as it gears up for increased foreign investment from the province’s hosting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meetings. “I am confident that after the (APEC) meetings here, there would be foreign economies and even foreign businessmen, who would express interest in investing here in Cebu,” said Governor Hilario Davide III, chair […]
APEC SOM chair highlights importance of internet in economy, education
(CEBU CITY, Cebu) Chairperson of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Senior Officials’ Meeting, Laura del Rosario, said she hopes the meetings on Internet connectivity would convince APEC member economies of the importance of the Internet in economic development and education. During a press conference here on Friday, del Rosario was asked if she thinks the discussions here in Cebu could bring in more investments to improve the speed of Internet connections in the country. “It […]
VP Binay: INC members only protecting their faith
MANILA, Philippines, August 28 (Eagle News) — Vice President Jejomar Binay said the members of the Iglesia Ni Cristo or INC cannot be blamed for merely fighting for their faith as they gathered in front of the Department of Justice to stage a protest against Justice Secretary Leila de Lima. In a statement, the vice president said and we quote: “we cannot fault the inc for resorting to mass action to protect the independence of […]
ASEAN WEEK OPENS
MANILA – “One cannot appreciate one’s existence unless you know your history.” Former DFA Secretary and the first woman Foreign Minister of Asia, former ASEAN Director General Amb. Delia Albert underscored the importance of looking back at the historical significance of the founding of the ASEAN during the opening ceremony of the ASEAN Week at the UP Asian Center. With students, members of the academe and selected representatives of the ASEAN diplomatic corps, Amb. Albert […]
ASEAN economic ministers meet in Malaysia to assess AEC implementation
(Reuters) — Economic Ministers of 10 member states of the Association of Southeast Asia Nations (ASEAN) kicked off a three-day meeting in Malaysia on Saturday (August 22). The meeting was hosted by Malaysia. The 47th ASEAN Economic Ministers’ Meeting and related meetings are to deliberate on the implementation of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) measures, especially the completion of commitments agreed to under the AEC 2015 Blueprint. The 10 nation bloc is set to announce […]
APEC delegates to meet in Cebu for 3rd Senior Officials’ Meeting
Senior officials and delegates of the 21 member economies of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) will gather in Cebu on August 22 to September 6 for the 3rd APEC Senior Officials’ Meeting (SOM-III) and Related Meetings, Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Charles Jose said. The meeting in Cebu will be the last comprehensive senior officials’ meeting before the APEC Leaders’ Summit in November in Manila, Jose told reporters during a press briefing at the Palace. He noted […]
ASEAN pushes for ‘inclusive solidarity’ in disaster response
MANILA (PIA)– Officials of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) called for “inclusive solidarity” in responding to disasters within and outside the region. In the recently concluded three-day (August 11-13) roadshow dubbed “One ASEAN, One Response” held in Manila, officials highlighted the importance of ASEAN member states responding jointly when one faces calamity. The whole ASEAN region share the same disaster challenges faced by the Philippines, according to Mr. Said Faisal, executive director of […]
China, ASEAN to speed up consultations on South China Sea
AUGUST 6 (Reuters) — China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) agreed on Wednesday (August 5) to speed up consultations on a Code of Conduct (CoC) for the disputed South China Sea, the foreign ministers of China and ASEAN member Thailand said. “The ASEAN nations promise to a full implementation of DoC (Declaration on Conduct) and speed up the discussion on CoC (Code of Conduct). And we’ll discuss about the risk management and […]
Security tight ahead of ASEAN and dialogue partners meeting
AUGUST 5 (Reuters) — Security was increased on Wednesday (August 5) morning, ahead of a regional meeting attended by foreign ministers from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Malaysia is the 2015 rotating chair for ASEAN, the regional bloc of 600 million people. Key issues relating to the region are expected to be discussed, including the disputed South China Sea, though the issue was not on the official agenda. However, expectations were high that […]
ASEAN foreign ministers meet in Malaysia
(Reuters) — Foreign Ministers of 10 member states of the Association of Southeast Asia Nations (ASEAN) kicked off a three-day meeting in Malaysia on Tuesday (August 4). The meeting is hosted by 2015 rotating chair, Malaysia. Attended by foreign ministers of the regional bloc, the group will discuss multi-lateral cooperation on the economy, policies and international issues. Key issues relating to the region are expected to be tabled, including the long-standing South China Sea issue. […]
