The SIIA released its annual Haze Outlook report in June, warning that a severe transboundary haze in 2020 remains a risk because of the COVID-19 pandemic. It is rated amber on a scale of green (low risk), amber (moderate risk) and red (high risk). As...
This year marks the 25th year of Vietnam’s membership in ASEAN. As Chair of ASEAN this year, the theme “Cohesive and Responsive” was chosen by the country. This theme has been put to the test during the COVID-19 pandemic. How has Vietnam faced up to...
The COVID-19 virus pandemic has not only hurt lives and livelihoods but has also starkly exposed systemic problems that need to be addressed. Responses to the outbreak across Southeast Asia have been varied. Here are some lessons ASEAN countries can learn from the region's response...
The People’s Movement to Stop Haze (PM Haze) held a webinar, “Clear the Air 2020”, on 1 July 2020, to discuss the causes of the transboundary haze problem and potential solutions. Ms. Meixi Gan, Assistant Director of Sustainability at the Singapore Institute of International Affairs...
The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has spread far beyond public health. The economic impact caused by the pandemic is catastrophic. We are experiencing a global recession the likes of which has not been seen since World War II. On the international relations front, China...
By Meixi Gan and Aaron Choo For The Straits Times Although the Covid-19 pandemic has dominated headlines in 2020, it is unfortunately not the only danger to public health that Singapore and Southeast Asia face this year. With the return of the dry season, there is a...
Did you know 2020 is the mid-point of ASEAN's Vision 2025? Here are the key priorities ASEAN had laid out in 2015. The COVID-19 also impacts ASEAN in prioritising the issues it wants to address to realise its 2025 Vision and in moving towards collective leadership...
It has been two weeks since Singaporeans went to the polls. Singapore’s 13th General Elections saw the People's Action Party (PAP) winning a clear mandate with 83 seats in Parliament, and the Workers' Party (WP) taking 10 seats. At our recent webinar, "What’s next after...
The 2020 General Election has been described as a breakthrough moment for politics in Singapore. On 17 July 2020, the Singapore Institute of International Affairs (SIIA) invited three former Nominated Members of Parliament (NMPs) to discuss the ramifications of GE2020 – Mr. Zulkifli Baharudin, Managing...
The transboundary haze in Southeast Asia is a perennial issue. In the SIIA Haze Outlook 2020 report, the researchers looked at three factors (weather, peat and people) to assess the risk of transboundary haze in Southeast Asia during the coming dry season. Unusually hot and dry...