Asia Regional Integration Center

The Brunei Darussalam–Indonesia–Malaysia–Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area shows that transport links alone do not drive lasting development. Infrastructure must be blended with aligned policies, local investment, skills development and protection of natural resources.

The United States’ One Big Beautiful Bill Act adds a 1% tax on most money transfers sent from the US to other countries. The US is the single largest source of remittances to Asia and the Pacific, but the low rate of the tax and the many ways to avoid it will considerably limit its impact, according to research for the July 2025 Asian Development Outlook

Issues around climate change and rivalry around frontier technology (artificial intelligence, big data, internet of things) are increasingly being discussed as issues of national security.

Strategic investments in transport infrastructure and streamlined visa policies are proving essential for boosting tourist flows and economic resilience.

Countries in Asia and the Pacific are undergoing a significant demographic shift: the share of older adults is expected to grow.

Since applying for ASEAN membership in 2011, Timor-Leste has undertaken significant reforms, investments, and policy alignments