International Organizations

Christine Lagarde, managing director of the International Monetary Fund and a former French finance minister, faces trial for accusations of negligence. However, that has not undermined her recent declaration of her candidacy for a second term, which representatives of some...

The China-sponsored Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank formally launched over the weekend.  Many observers have seen it as a rival to the World Bank.  Others saw in another vehicle used to facilitate the internationalization of the Chinese yuan. We have consistently...

The prospect of hosting any mega-event – especially the Olympic Games – is cause for serious consideration. At local, national, and international levels, the discussion takes shape around two key questions: is it worth it? And if so, for whom?...

The refusal of the US Congress to accept a new and higher quota (money) to the IMF stymied governance reforms for five years.  This has frustrated efforts to integrate the developing countries, especially the large ones, like China, better into...

hans engbers / Shutterstock.com hans engbers / Shutterstock.com Strong trade growth has traditionally driven strong growth in the Pacific Rim region, but trade growth has disappointed over the last few years. At the same time, the region is coming to...

Malaysia ended its chairmanship of ASEAN as the grouping announced the establishment of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) in November 2015. The AEC intends to create a single market across the ASEAN region by standardising economic regulations including those on...

This year has been one of high expectations and of disappointment in Southeast Asia. Rarely has the economic and strategic importance of the region been as apparent. As China’s economy is transitioning towards ‘a new normal’ marked by lower growth,...

The smoke haze crisis that battered a major part of the southern ASEAN region in mid-2015 is showing signs of abating. Along with the disappearing haze, it is crucial that the resolve demonstrated by all parties — especially governments —...

As the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) takes steps toward implementing the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) by the end of 2015, they should be cognisant that the paths towards economic integration and sustainable urbanisation are closely intertwined. Southeast Asian...

At the beginning of October, 12 Pacific Rim countries agreed on the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement. The TPP agreement has been hailed as a landmark trade pact, as it includes many issues that have so far not found their way...

Despite diplomatic missteps, APEC 2015 could pave way to regional peace and development. The triangular perspectives of Washington, Beijing, and Manila tell the story. Washington’s exclusive policies Despite diplomatic missteps, APEC 2015 could pave way to regional peace and development....

After months of speculation, the USS Lassen sailed within 12 nautical miles of an artificial Chinese island on 27 October 2015. In doing so, it completed the first in a series of planned freedom of navigation operations in the South...

Chinese financial diplomacy has reached its coming of age. This new era started when China first announced the introduction of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) in 2013. The bank should be operational by late 2015. Combined with other Chinese-led...

The IMF gave G20 leaders some bad news in Turkey: they are not doing enough to lift growth. The G20 has not implemented enough of their previous commitments and their goal of increasing G20 GDP by US$2 trillion by 2018...

After half a decade of low growth, global organizations continue to represent the victors of World War II, not the economic powerhouses of the 21st century. However, change is in the air.  Following a series of coordinated terror attacks in...