The fifth summit of the emerging economies, BRICS, opened in Durban, South Africa, on March 26, aiming to chart a new course for common development goals.

Thailand is hopeful that more Japanese travellers to land in the country during the upcoming Songkran holiday while more Thais will go on overseas holidays because of the stronger baht.

Italian Foreign Minister Giulio Terzi said Tuesday he was resigning from his post in protest over the return of two Italian marines to India to face murder charges.

The Myanmar Government and the Pa-O National Liberation Organisation (PNLO) on March 23 agreed to kick off a political dialogue in the framework of the two sides’ upcoming negotiations, said Myanmar’s New Light newspaper.  The result was achieved from a meeting between Vice Chairman of the Government’s Central Peace-Making Work Committee U Aung Min and PNLO Chairman Khun Okka in Nay Pyi Taw city.

ASEAN Deputy Secretary General Lim Hong Hin.

President Barack Obama arrived in Jordan on Friday to face scrutiny over his Syria strategy, on the last leg of a Middle East tour after visits to Israel and the Palestinian territories.

Italian President Giorgio Napolitano said he will announce on Friday his decision on who will be asked to form a government after inconclusive elections in the austerity-stricken country and amid rising tensions in the eurozone.

Delegates at the 10th ASEAN Chiefs of Defence Forces Informal Meeting (ACDFIM-10) signed a joint statement in Brunei on March 20 highlighting the role of ASEAN member nations’ armed forces in coping with regional security challenges.

The meeting focused on the implementation of ASEAN-China joint cooperation projects and activities in politics-security, economics and culture-society, as well as initiatives and outcomes of the 15th ASEAN-China Summit. It reviewed the proposed commemorative activities to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the ASEAN-China strategic partnership. At the event, China expressed its strong commitment to support the implementation of projects and activities within the framework of the ASEAN-China Plan of Action (2011-2015) and efforts to build the ASEAN Community. The meeting highlighted several important areas that both sides are able to work on to further strengthen their cooperation, including maritime cooperation and ASEAN connectivity. Participants highly appreciated the new ASEAN-China Centre (ACC) in Beijing, and said they will endeavour to work closely to support the ACC’s activities in promoting trade, investment, tourism, education and culture. The event was co-chaired by H.E. Suvat Chirapant, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Thailand to ASEAN and H.E. Yang Xiuping, Ambassador of the Mission of China to ASEAN. The Permanent Representatives of ASEAN Member States to ASEAN, officials of the Mission of China to ASEAN, several Chinese agencies, and the ASEAN Secretariat attended the meeting.

Covering an area of 2.5 square km, the 600-million-U.S. dollars project incorporates the latest in parabolic trough technology and features more than 258,000 mirrors mounted on 768 tracking parabolic trough collectors, capable of delivering green electricity to 20,000 homes.

  Mr. Brendan Howlin (left) met with Mr. Lim Hong Hin The UK delegation head Margot James, who is Vice Chairwoman of the Conservative Party, and Lim Hong Hin , Deputy Secretary General of ASEAN for the ASEAN Economic Community, exchanged views on the EU and ASEAN model of integration and how ASEAN could gain from EU experience. Lim explained the association’s opinions on the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) and Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) to UK parliamentarians. He also briefed the delegation on the latest developments in ASEAN’s efforts and challenges faced in establishing an ASEAN Economic Community by 2015. He went on to call for greater investment from EU member countries, including the UK , as well as the participation of European investors and businesses in the forthcoming Forum on ASEAN Comprehensive Investment Agreement. Lim also hosted a reception for Irish Minister of Public Expenditure and Reform Brendan Howlin, who highly valued the role of ASEAN in the region. The two sides discussed issues of mutual concern, with a focus on ASEAN’s integration process and connectivity, and measures to boost cooperation between the region, the EU and Ireland.

Government officers and scholars from Japan and ASEAN member countries, including Vietnam, discussed common security challenges in the Asia-Pacific region at a conference in Tokyo on March 14.

According to Japanese Vice-Minister of Defence Akinori Eto, on top of growing economic cooperation, Japan and ASEAN need to further strengthen ties in security and defence.

Myanmar government officials met with representatives of Kachin rebels in China on March 11 to renew peace talks, which aim to resolve the conflict in Myanmar ’s northern province of Kachin.