Southeast Asia

Since there are many hot topics and interesting developments in and around Southeast Asia, hbs Southeast Asia Regional Office in Bangkok created a non-exhaustive list of a few informative podcasts. They cover different topics from current affairs, including politics and environment to deeper insights into history and culture. Happy listening.

Urgent action is needed to deal with plastic litter in the ocean – and a sea change is occurring on this front. Some countries in Southeast Asia are developing plans of action for policy reform as a notable first step.  Legal frameworks that support the shift towards a circular economy approach in plastics, spur systemic changes in production and consumption, and promote positive individual behavior would help address the longer-term problem.

Small-scale beekeeping with native species is a resourceful way of tapping into local honey production alongside increasing household incomes in Southeast Asia. Though honey from a range of different honey bee species can be harvested, finding those species most suitable to the native landscape will result in more ecological and community resilience.

The year 2022 brings in not just one or two but a handful of hot button issues to deal with for ASEAN, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. Between economic recovery from the pandemic through to internal civil war within Myanmar and external disputes and alliances, Cambodia assumes Chair of ASEAN with plenty to consider. ASEAN’s culture and intergovernmental model value cooperation but a different kind of multilateralism may be changing the stakes and strategies in negotiation across the ten member states.

Global climate change is increasingly impacting people in Southeast Asia though disaster preparedness varies widely across each country and community. Government at all levels can strengthen their responses and collaboration to help people develop resilience in the face of catastrophes.

Quick and Easy Choices to Avoid Plastic: The best way to deal with waste is not to create it in the first place. Each year, almost 30 million tonnes of solid waste is generated in Thailand. In Bangkok alone, more than 10.000 tonnes of trash is collected each day, approximately 20% is plastic waste. With a little bit of consciousness, you can already make a big difference - quick and easy! And if you do create trash, be responsible and separate, because sorting is key!