ASEAN

Officials of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) received flak for ignoring the invitation of civil society organizations for them to attend the opening plenary of the 2nd Asean Peoples’ Forum (APF)/5th Asean Civil Society Conference (ACSC) in Cha-am, Thailand on Sunday.

BANGKOK: Closer economic ties and ways of coping better with devastating natural disasters in the region will be on the agenda as Asian leaders gather in Thailand this week, analysts and diplomats said. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) meets Friday in the resort town of Hua Hin for its annual summit, followed by…

WASHINGTON – Asia may be leading the world’s recovery from recession but its growth prospects are still clouded by the fragile global economic situation, the Asian Development Bank’s top economist said Wednesday.

In face of crises, disasters MANILA, Philippines — ASEAN must put people’s human rights, particularly to social protection for the poor who are most affected, at the center stage of its response to both the global financial meltdown and the series of disasters that have visited some member-nations of the regional bloc.

MANILA, Philippines—The Secretary General of ASEAN has called on the global community to act immediately on climate change issues to save the planet from irreversible damage due to global warming.

FIVE ASEAN EXCHANGES—BURSA Malaysia, the Indonesia Stock Exchange, the Philippine Stock Exchange, Singapore Exchange Limited (SGX) and the Stock Exchange of Thailand—have entered into an Accession Agreement with the Hochiminh Stock Exchange.

India and the 10-country South East Asian bloc Asean have signed a free trade agreement after more than six years of talks.

MANILA, Philippines – The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNHCR) expressed disappointment yesterday over the ASEAN rights body’s “lack of clear protection mandate.”

PHUKET: Southeast Asia’s first rights body panders to abusers like Myanmar and is virtually powerless, but remains a “historic” step in the right direction, analysts and activists said.

PHUKET, Thailand – Southeast Asian officials on Sunday were finalizing an unprecedented regional human rights body which has sparked criticism from activists that it will be toothless.

In a bid to boost its standing in Southeast Asia, the United States will finally accede next week to the ASEAN Treaty of Amity and Cooperation (TAC), a sign that Washington is expanding its engagement in a region “neglected” for several years under the Bush administration, diplomatic sources said yesterday.

SINGAPORE (Xinhua) — The role and relevance of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) in the regional and global architecture will be shaped by how it deals with the current crisis and its aftermath, a Singapore official today.

BANGKOK—As the target date for launching the ASEAN human rights body (AHRB) nears, civil society groups have warned depriving it of watchdog powers would erode the credibility of the regional organization.

GENEVA–International labor experts on Saturday called on the Myanmar government to amend a provision in the country’s new constitution that could be interpreted as justifying forced labor.

SEOGWIPO, South Korea: South Korea and Asean on Tuesday completed a free-trade agreement covering almost 650 million people, while vowing to fight protectionism and tackling together the global economic crisis.

The European Union joined other international organizations that have recognized the legal personality of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), which is trying to build a regional economic community.

South Korea has called on the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) for more investments in developing new and renewable sources of energy.

MANILA, Philippines – President Arroyo has renewed her push for a free trade agreement between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) and India to help give Asia a stronger voice in global economic affairs.

MANILA, Philippines—Government on Sunday expressed outrage over what it called trumped-up charges Myanmar’s military junta has filed against opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

Trade officials of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) have identified the priority sectors in the creation of a single market and seamless production base under the Asean Economic Community, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said.

MANILA, Philippines—Foreign Secretary David Miliband of the United Kingdom has commended the Philippines for pushing for a credible and effective body that would champion fundamental human rights in the ASEAN region, the British Embassy in Manila said in a statement Thursday.

MANILA, Philippines – Filipino doctors and dentists can now practice in other countries that are members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

PATTAYA (AFP) – The dramatic cancellation of an Asian summit after rampaging Thai protesters stormed the venue has set back a regional effort to tackle the global economic crisis, analysts said.

BANGKOK: What should have been a showcase moment for Thailand, current country chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) has turned into a logistical and public relations nightmare—and a major embarrassment to the government of Oxford-educated Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva.

PATTAYA (AFP) –Sixteen Asian nations will step up investigations into establishing a giant free-trade zone stretching from China to Australia, according to documents obtained by AFP Friday.

BANGKOK: Southeast Asian nations and key regional partners will use a summit next week to discuss their follow-up to a G20 plan to lift the world out of recession, Thailand’s premier said Sunday.

Seoul (ANTARA News/Asia Pulse) — Asian countries are expected to announce the details of a proposed credit guarantee body next month, aimed at bolstering regional debt markets, a high-ranking Seoul official said Sunday.

FAIR Trade Alliance called on the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to review the country’s current external trade policies in light of the global slowdown.

MANILA, Philippines – Papua New Guinea Prime Minister Michael Somare yesterday asked President Arroyo to support his nation’s bid for membership in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

MANILA, Philippines – The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) does not have the political will and capacity to create a human rights court in the region because there are member states that are still getting acquainted with the real meaning of human rights and are just beginning to manage and internalize it in their…