As the Asian Development Bank (ADB) approaches its 50th anniversary, its relevance is challenged by the enormity and the diversity of the region it serves and, many would add, by the advent of the parallel Asia Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) dominated by China. At the 49th Annual Meeting held in Frankfurt Chancellor Angela Merkel commended
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Indian foreign policy under the Modi administration is becoming more ambitious and innovative in its scope, as India moves from the periphery to the center of international relations. India is tactically exploiting its natural advantages through its renewed focus on soft power and its subsequent strategic deployment to further India’s foreign policy objectives in an
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This paper discusses the issue of awareness raising in the European Union concerning the topic of North Korean human rights situation. The paper introduces the factors influencing the advocacy work of civil society, along with the role of European foreign policy, EU institutions, as well as collaboration between EU and South Korea based interest groups.
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The solar panel dispute is by far the biggest trade controversy between the EU and China. Under the Climate and Energy Package 2020, the EU became the largest market for solar panel products, reflecting growing demand for renewable energy consumption. China, meanwhile, has surpassed the EU as the largest solar panel manufacturer in the world.
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Asia is heading back to basics as lower commodity prices, weak overseas demand, and rising inequality prompt changes to the region’s economic development model. At the annual meeting of the Asian Development Bank in Baku, trending topics such as regional integration and the promotion of regional bond markets were pushed down the agenda. Instead, finance
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In 2013, in front of the Indonesian Parliament, China’s President Xi Jinping announced the launch of a Maritime Silk Road. This massive connectivity project linking Asia and Europe encompasses the building and upgrading of maritime infrastructures. One year later, the newly-elected Indonesian President, Joko Widodo announced the project to make Indonesia a “maritime axis”. This
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Considerable progress has recently been achieved with regards to food security in Asia; however, Asia is still the continent where most people live in a state of food insecurity. The Global Food Crisis of 2007-2008 was a critical juncture that shocked the international community and put the spotlight on the food safety and security challenges.
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Shipbreaking does not feature on the headlines very often, however, this industry plays a very important role in the economies of South Asian countries. The recycling of end-of-life vessels for scrap metal and other materials is a very profitable industry for both ship-owning companies and the owners of shipbreaking yards. However, developing countries pay the
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Connectivity was the main theme of discussion at this year’s Annual Meeting of the Asia Development Bank held in Astana, Kazakhstan, from 2 to 5 May 2014. Participants told about the far-flung stopovers they had to make when flying in, and panelists talked about how Kazakhstan and the other Central Asian countries could benefit from
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Relations between China and Central Asia have been developing rapidly in recent years. The region has risen from a marginal position to becoming one of the top priorities in China’s foreign policy strategy, and is a region of great geostrategic importance presenting both challenges and opportunities to China’s security, economic and political interests. China’s policy
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