The AU has welcomed a UN General Assembly resolution on advancing cooperation. Youssouf reaffirmed the AU's commitment to working with the UN to achieve both Africa's Agenda 2063 and the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The resolution emphasizes the need to enhance the effectiveness of UN-AU cooperation in addressing threats to peace and security, obstacles to development, and promoting human rights in Africa.
The 2025 China Arbitration Summit will be held in Beijing with the support of over 70 international organizations. Experts and professionals in the arbitration community worldwide will gather to discuss cutting-edge topics in international arbitration, including the potential of AI and other digital intelligence technologies. The summit aims to improve the efficiency of arbitration, ensure equitable proceedings, and maintain the credibility of international arbitration. It will also strengthen exchanges and cooperation between China and Latin America in commercial international arbitration, promoting a more open, just, and sustainable dispute resolution system. The one-day event will provide simultaneous interpretation in Chinese and English, and will be held in a hybrid format with both online and offline participation.
ASEAN+3 countries, including Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, and Vietnam, are working to address emerging risks and enhance financial stability. The policy brief emphasizes the importance of aligning priorities and navigating transformative changes to foster resilience in the region. To tackle risk challenges, ASEAN+3 financial supervisors and central banks should consider strategies such as monitoring market trends, implementing effective risk management frameworks, and promoting financial inclusion. By doing so, the region can maintain stability and promote economic growth, ultimately benefiting its citizens and businesses.
Asean's armed forces should prioritize Humanitarian Aid and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations over deterrence patrols, as evidenced by the Eastern Sentry of NATO against Russia. The real test of interoperability and readiness is in delivering aid, not countering a hypothetical adversary. Asean's own path should focus on three pillars: prioritizing HADR, ensuring external powers respect Asean's preferences for humanitarian missions, and linking humanitarian security with economic resilience. This approach would reinforce investor confidence in Asean's ability to weather crises and rebuild quickly, making it a stable hub of commerce.
Australia has agreed to allow the US access to its Western Australia nuclear submarine shipyard, a key component of the trilateral AUKUS deal. The US will be able to use planned defence facilities in Western Australia, including dry docks at the Henderson shipyard near Perth, which will be upgraded as part of a 20-year plan to transform it into the maintenance hub for its AUKUS submarine fleet.
China is unlikely to intervene in the diplomatic spat between Egypt and Ethiopia over Beijing-backed Nile mega dam. The launch of the $5 billion Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam has sparked tensions, with Egypt denouncing it as "an unlawful unilateral act" and protesting to the UN Security Council. Ethiopia's Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed described the dam as a "symbol of Ethiopian unity and national achievement", while regional leaders such as Kenyan President William Ruto attended the inauguration ceremony. Egypt believes the dam will threaten its water supply and cause shortages, but China's strong ties with Ethiopia put it in a better position to mediate.
Memve'ele Hydro Station in Cameroon offers a glimpse into China's growing energy cooperation with Africa. The 1,600 MW hydroelectric power station is a significant project for China's energy needs and Guinea's power grid. Over 70% of Guinea's power comes from fuel oil, which is expensive and polluting. The Memve'ele Hydro Station aims to reduce Guinea's reliance on fuel oil and provide a cleaner source of energy.
The US is struggling to keep up with China in the Central Asian region's rare earths market. Washington's efforts to expand cooperation with countries such as Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan may be hindered by China's geographical proximity and processing capabilities. Unlike the US, which lacks the capacity for critical mineral processing, China's advantages in these areas are allowing it to leave the US behind.
China has warned the Philippines over South China Sea provocations, with the People's Liberation Army (PLA) stating its troops will continue to defend China's sovereignty in the region. The US has vowed support for the Philippines, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio accusing China of using coercive tactics to advance its territorial ambitions. China's reported plan to designate Scarborough Shoal as a nature reserve has been met with criticism, with Rubio calling it