The Singapore Institute of International Affairs (SIIA) has been observing the impact of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Our analysis covers how the pandemic has impacted ASEAN and Asia from a political and economic standpoint. Here are the links to the articles and infographics, which are also available on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter.
COVID-19 Updates
Malaysia’s Covid-19 Resurgence
June 3, 2021
Malaysia has imposed a 2-week nationwide lockdown from 1 June 2021 to contain the worsening Covid-19 outbreak. Only essential businesses are allowed to operate under the lockdown, with schools and shopping malls shuttered. Covid-19 cases are on the rise, with new infections averaging over 6,000…
Emerging stronger: Present and future tense
May 20, 2021
By Simon Tay and Aaron ChooFor The Straits Times Some may question the need to think about emerging stronger when Singapore is under a heightened regime of measures against the pandemic and many countries across the region are facing the worst circumstances since the first…
CNA Leadership Summit 2021: Green Recovery
April 26, 2021
Associate Professor Simon Tay, Chairman of the SIIA, spoke at the “CNA Leadership Summit 2021: Green Recovery” on Thursday, 22 April. Sharing his perspectives at the “New Private-Public Collaborations For Sustainable Economic And Environmental Prosperity” panel, he said that Singapore has the tools to combat…
One Year On: Vaccines, New Variants and Economic Prospects
February 26, 2021
It has now been over a year since COVID-19 was first recognised as a global pandemic. While vaccination programmes are now beginning, there has been much debate about the efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines, especially with new variants of the virus emerging, and it is not…
Did global Covid-19 lockdowns heal the planet? (The Straits Times)
January 8, 2021
Around the world, trillions of dollars have been deployed as part of COVID-19 stimulus packages. After the 2008 financial crisis, it was found that stimulus packages led to the largest emissions increase in half a century. The growth in climate pledges by countries and corporations…
ESG in Practice: COVID-19 Effects on ESG
December 9, 2020
Read more about how the COVID-19 pandemic is potentially impacting the ESG practices of companies in the agribusiness and forestry sectors in our latest report, “ESG in Practice: A Closer Look at Sustainability in ASEAN’s Palm Oil and Pulpwood Sector”.
Sustainability and green finance to be factors in Singapore’s new infrastructure (The Business Times)
November 26, 2020
Ms. Meixi Gan, Assistant Director, Sustainability, at the SIIA, said that Singapore is “well positioned” to pursue business opportunities in the green economy. She noted that “sustainability, resilience and inclusive growth have been identified as key elements of Singapore’s post-COVID-19 economic strategy, and that the…
Commentary: ASEAN’s potential contributions to climate action
November 20, 2020
By Simon Tay and Meixi Gan For The Jakarta Post If not for the COVID-19 pandemic, most countries would be at the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow this month. Governments had pledged to negotiate rules for a global carbon market and improve…
Commentary: RCEP trade deal an important step forward for the region
November 19, 2020
By Simon Tay For The Straits Times It is too early to expect the incoming Biden administration to seriously relook American policies in Asia. Domestic concerns will be paramount – the pandemic and economic recovery. Yet, with less than full attention on developments in Asia,…