The RCEP (Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership) rose to prominence soon after US President Donald Trump rescinded his commitment to the TPP (Trans-Pacific Partnership) trade deal earlier this year.The TPP aimed to establish a regional FTA (Free Trade Agreement) and focussed on liberalising trade in goods and services, investment, intellectual property rights, environmental protection, labour, financial services, technical barriers to trade and other regulatory issues.

Southeast Asia is a highly sought-after holiday destination for tourists and travellers from all across the world. The region, which is home to more than 630 million people, is geographically situated in the heart of Asia. Due to its tropical climate, the region is typically warm and humid all year round with plentiful rainfall. Southeast Asian countries are also known for its unique and diverse cultures as well as natural wonders like sandy beaches, mountains and wildlife.

The US (United States) will continue to play an active role in ensuring peace and prosperity within Southeast Asia despite growing geopolitical shifts in the region.Speaking at the sixth Maritime Institute of Malaysia South China Sea Conference, Senior Advisor and Senior Director of the Asia Pacific Security Programme at CNAS (Centre for New American Studies), Patrick Cronin highlighted five key elements which would likely underpin the Trump administration’s approach towards this region.

Culture plays an important role when it comes to business and communication in the Southeast Asian region.

ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) is facing unpredictable times ahead.

The total population of the 10 ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) member states has grown to over 640 million people in 2017 as the region is home to about 339.2 million internet users. It is currently the fourth largest internet market. Google revealed that Southeast Asia is expanding at a rate of almost four million users a month, making it the fastest growing e-commerce market globally.

This week, tensions have been running high particularly in Bali as its iconic volcano – Mount Agung – which threatens to erupt at any moment. Over 144,000 people have fled the rumbling volcano, but Indonesian officials urged evacuees who live outside the immediate danger zone to return home. According to an official statement made by the Bali Government Tourism office, the threat level of Mount Agung was raised from level three (alert) to level four (danger).

The Southeast Asian region is gifted with rich and diverse renewable energy sources. With the abundance of renewable energy sources in the region, it is timely for ASEAN nations to focus on renewable energy installation amidst diminishing fossil fuel reserves and the growing environmental concerns over fossil fuels and climate change, in particular.

"There is no straight path from your seat today to where you are going. Don't try to draw that line. You will not just get it wrong, you'll miss big opportunities. And I mean big-like the Internet," Sheryl Sandberg, the Chief Operating Officer of Facebook, said during the annual Class Day ceremonies at Harvard College in the US."Careers are not ladders, those days are long gone, but jungle gyms.

The workplace is not an unfamiliar territory to women in the Southeast Asian region. The Philippines ranks ninth in the world for gender equity where women are given the opportunity to participate in politics, to have multiple seats on company boards and so on. However, the lack of gender diversification in the workplace is still immensely visible in local and international companies alike throughout the region.