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World Economic Forum on ASEAN 2018

As global power tilts towards Asia, the ten economies that make up ASEAN are at a crucial juncture. Read our collection of articles that explore the themes behind the World Economic Forum on ASEAN 2018, taking place in Ha Noi, Viet Nam, from September 11-13.

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What just happened? 5 top stories from our ASEAN summit 2018

From trade to humanitarian tragedy, nukes to unicorns, the World Economic Forum on ASEAN 2018 covered a swathe of topics in three hazy days in Ha Noi, Viet Nam.

Ceri Parker 13 Sep 2018

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Indonesia's president says he is an Avenger superhero fighting trade wars

Indonesia's young president, Joko Widodo, turned to the language of comic books to describe the threats the world faces today.

Ceri Parker 12 Sep 2018

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Why Asia's future is female

Investing in women and girls could be the key to exponential growth.

Sri Mulyani Indrawati and Anne-Birgitte Albrectsen · Straits Times 10 Sep 2018

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South Korea foreign minister hails 'historic opportunity' for peace

Kang Kyung-Wha spoke of a turning point in relations with North Korea, at the opening of the World Economic Forum on ASEAN 2018.

Ceri Parker 12 Sep 2018

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Meet 4 young leaders changing politics in Asia

From Thailand's answer to Emmanuel Macron to Natalie Grace, who runs a new political party for young people in Indonesia, a new generation of change-makers is coming to the fore.

Sean Fleming 07 Sep 2018

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The story of Viet Nam's economic miracle

Once one of the world's poorest countries, today Viet Nam is a booming economy, with a growing middle class and a rate of growth to rival China. How did it get here?

Peter Vanham 11 Sep 2018

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These are some of Asia’s most creative start-ups

Meet the winners in a World Economic Forum competition, from companies making Sharia-compliant cryptocurrency to an algorithm for protecting coral reefs.

Ceri Parker 10 Sep 2018

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ASEAN can turn disruption into an opportunity. Here's how

ASEAN has important decisions to make about its role in regional affairs. If it make the right ones, the bloc can turn disruption into an opportunity.

Børge Brende and Justin Wood · Project Syndicate 06 Sep 2018

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Arts and Culture

This photographer will make you think again about your phone use

Our phones have become a "phantom limb" that hamper real connections and creativity, argues the photographer Eric Pickersgill.

Ceri Parker 11 Sep 2018

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ASEAN's reskilling challenge: here's how we prepare for the future of work

As many as 28 million workers could be displaced by technology over the next decade. Governments and businesses must come together to educate them for new roles.

Naveen Menon 12 Sep 2018

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Why Asia's 'arms race' is not quite what it seems

Military spending is rising in countries throughout southeast Asia - but so is GDP.

Tim Huxley 12 Sep 2018

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Sri Lanka PM: This is how I will make my country rich by 2025

Closer ties with the ASEAN region and having an open attitude to trade and foreign investment will improve the living standards of all Sri Lankans, writes Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesin...

Ranil Wickremesinghe 29 Aug 2018

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The 7 forces that will change the way you work

Technological and social forces are transforming how work gets done, who does it, and even what work looks like.

Philip Yuen 03 Sep 2018

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Everything you need to know about the World Economic Forum on ASEAN 2018

Who's coming, what they're discussing, and how you can get involved.

Ceri Parker and Di Dai 30 Aug 2018

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10 reasons businesses need to build resilience to disasters

"Preparing for disasters is becoming just as important as managing your reputation or testing your products before launching them."

Mami Mizutori 10 Sep 2018

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Asia’s 10 most gender equal countries

The Philippines is the only nation from the region to make the global top 10 in 2018, according to the latest Global Gender Gap Report. Which other countries are doing a good job?

Johnny Wood 04 Sep 2018

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The Philippines’ first unicorn is taking pop-up housing to a new level

The country's first billion-dollar company wants to make flat-pack homes global and become the IKEA of real estate.

Emma Charlton 05 Sep 2018

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A new kind of unicorn is on the scene

ASEAN already boasts seven 'unicorns' - start-up companies that have reached a $1 billion valuation.

Kelly Ommundsen 08 Sep 2018

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115 rejections and no pay. What it really takes to be an entrepreneur

The grander your ambitions, the greater the challenges you face. The most important thing you can do is push on through.

Patrick Grove 05 Sep 2018

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Three reasons to be optimistic for the future of Asia

Data shows that ASEAN customers are more likely to back sustainable companies. From fair trade to inclusive business practices, a new way of making money is emerging.

Lilian Mercado 05 Sep 2018

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Meet 4 young leaders changing politics in Asia

From Thailand's answer to Emmanuel Macron to Natalie Grace, who runs a new political party for young people in Indonesia, a new generation of change-makers is coming to the fore.

Sean Fleming 07 Sep 2018

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What a Malaysian hospital tells us about the future of health

When AI checks patients' vital signs, care teams are automatically alerted to danger. Technology is transforming healthcare across Asia.

Caroline Clarke 31 Aug 2018

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How the Japanese idea of 'chowa' can help Asia thrive

Chowa - "a spirit of harmonious partnership" - will be key to succeeding as the Fourth Industrial Revolution transforms Asian economies.

Ken Kawai 03 Sep 2018

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7 key challenges for the future of ASEAN - and how to solve them

Professor Ishtiaq Pasha Mahmood gives an expert take on the region, from geopolitical tensions to a rising youth population.

Ishtiaq Pasha Mahmood 29 Aug 2018

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Environment and Natural Resource Security

Seaweed, Indonesia’s answer to the global plastic crisis

Indonesia has become the home of bioplastics, derived from red seaweed.

Bakti Berlyanto Sedayu · The Conversation 06 Jun 2018

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How to follow our #asean18 meeting in Viet Nam

The World Economic Forum on ASEAN will gather the region’s political, business, academic, civil society leaders, along with a group of 75 handpicked start-ups.

Beatrice Di Caro 24 Aug 2018

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In this Bangkok neighbourhood, you can buy and sell electricity using Blockchain

The pilot project in the centre of Thailand's capital is among the world's largest peer-to-peer renewable energy trading platforms using blockchain.

Rina Chandran · Thomson Reuters Foundation trust.org 30 Aug 2018

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Republic of Korea

Economic cooperation between North and South Korea could be worth $150 billion

A study estimates that cross-border economic cooperation between North and South Korea could be worth $149.9 billion over the next 30 years.

Hyonhee Shin · Reuters 20 Aug 2018

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Future of Economic Progress

This bookstore in Malaysia is open 24/7

The 24-hour store reflects the rise in Malaysia's middle class, a story repeated across Asian economies.

Johnny Wood 29 Aug 2018

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ASEAN can turn disruption into an opportunity. Here's how

ASEAN has important decisions to make about its role in regional affairs. If it make the right ones, the bloc can turn disruption into an opportunity.

Børge Brende and Justin Wood · Project Syndicate 06 Sep 2018

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The Philippines’ first unicorn is taking pop-up housing to a new level

The country's first billion-dollar company wants to make flat-pack homes global and become the IKEA of real estate.

Emma Charlton 05 Sep 2018

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Three reasons to be optimistic for the future of Asia

Data shows that ASEAN customers are more likely to back sustainable companies. From fair trade to inclusive business practices, a new way of making money is emerging.

Lilian Mercado 05 Sep 2018

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115 rejections and no pay. What it really takes to be an entrepreneur

The grander your ambitions, the greater the challenges you face. The most important thing you can do is push on through.

Patrick Grove 05 Sep 2018