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UN General Assembly 2025: Key Moments and Speakers Ahead
 The 80th UN General Assembly (UNGA) formally opened on September 09, 2025 in New York, with the high-level General Debate on September 23, 2025. Over 150 world leaders, led by Brazil and the U.S., will address global challenges under the theme “Better Together: 80 years and More for Peace, Development and Human Rights.”
Key topics include Palestine’s participation, climate change, AI, and global conflicts. Palestine’s virtual attendance follows U.S. visa denials, drawing widespread criticism. France, Australia, and several other countries have recognised Palestinian statehood, now supported by 157 UN members. The U.S. has repeatedly vetoed Palestine’s bid for full UN membership.
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Japan and South Korea Hold Historic Summit in Tokyo
On August 23, 2025, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba hosted a summit with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung in Japan, marking Lee’s first bilateral visit since taking office. The 115-minute meeting, including small-group and plenary sessions, focused on advancing Japan-ROK relations through “shuttle diplomacy.”
Both leaders agreed to deepen cooperation in security, economic stability, and trilateral cooperation with the U.S., while addressing regional issues, such as North Korea’s nuclear programme and abductions. They also committed to strengthening collaboration on social and economic challenges, expanding the working holiday programme, and fostering partnerships in hydrogen, ammonia, and AI. A joint press release was issued following the meeting.
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Trade and Economic Affairs
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ASEAN Welcomes China, Gulf States to Boost Cooperation
 The ASEAN Summit in May 2025 in Kuala Lumpur marked a historic first with participation of China and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). The gathering aimed to strengthen ties in trade, investment, infrastructure, green energy, and the digital economy.
Amid U.S. tariffs targeting ASEAN and China, the summit sought to boost intraregional trade and diversify partnerships. Key outcomes included a China-led port and industrial hub project in Malaysia under the Belt and Road Initiative. With a combined GDP of US$25tn and GCC’s US$4tn sovereign wealth funds, the collaboration underscores ASEAN’s drive for economic resilience and greater global trade influence.
(Global Finance, 22.09.25)
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U.S.-Japan Sign Landmark Trade and Investment Deal
U.S. President Donald Trump has unveiled a landmark U.S.-Japan strategic trade and investment agreement, hailed as a historic realignment to strengthen American industrial power and Indo-Pacific security.
Japan has committed US$550bn to U.S.-led investments in energy infrastructure, semiconductor manufacturing, critical minerals, pharmaceuticals, and shipbuilding, expected to generate hundreds of thousands of jobs while allowing the U.S. to retain 90 per cent of profits. A baseline 15 per cent tariff on Japanese imports aims to narrow the trade deficit and ensure fairness.
The deal expands U.S. market access, including a 75 per cent rise in rice imports, US$8bn in agricultural purchases, Boeing aircraft deals, and eased restrictions for U.S. automobiles. The pact highlights shared prosperity and supply chain resilience between two countries.
(White House, 23.07.25)
Australia to Invest US$8bn in Nuclear Sub Shipyard
Australia will invest AU$12bn (US$8bn) over the next decade to upgrade the Henderson Defence Precinct in Perth, Western Australia, transforming into a facility for servicing nuclear-powered submarines.
The project, announced by Defence Minister Richard Marles, forms part of a broader military overhaul amid escalating threats from China, under the 2021 AUKUS pact with the U.S. and UK. This follows recent commitments, including AU$10bn for 11 stealth frigates and AU$1.7bn for "Ghost Shark" underwater drones.
Despite a U.S. review under President Trump, Marles expressed optimism about AUKUS's continuity, with Australia’s overall defence spending rising by AU$70bn since 2022.
(France 24, 14.09.25)
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Japan, India to Shift Chip and LCD Production
Japan and India are collaborating to shift production of legacy semiconductors, LCD panels, and other technologies, including solar equipment and storage batteries, to India in an effort to reduce reliance on Chinese manufacturing.
The initiative, detailed in a joint plan by JETRO and the Confederation of Indian Industry, was announced ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s summit with Japan’s Shigeru Ishiba on August 29, 2025.
The plan seeks to combine India’s cost-competitive workforce and Japan’s technological expertise to enhance economic security. India will adopt Japan-style intellectual property laws to promote self-reliance in critical technology sectors amid shifting global trade dynamics, and new U.S. tariffs on Indian exports.
(Swarajya, 28.08.25)
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Japan Expands Security Assistance Programme
Japan is expanding its Official Security Assistance (OSA) programme, with Thailand, Sri Lanka, Tonga, East Timor, and Papua New Guinea set to join Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines as recipients in fiscal 2025.
The Foreign Ministry aims to double the programme’s reach to eight countries, backed by a 60 per cent budget increase to ¥8bn. Launched in 2023, OSA supports “like-minded” nations’ security capabilities to ensure Indo-Pacific stability, providing equipment like drones, rescue vessels, and heavy machinery. Fiji recently received rescue equipment, with further deliveries planned. Unlike development aid, OSA operates under Japan’s strict arms export controls.
(SENTRY, 05.08.25)
Thailand's Elects Anutin Charnvirakul as New Prime Minister
Bhumjaithai Party, as the new prime minister, marking the country’s third leader in three years.
The conservative tycoon secured a majority with support from the opposition People’s Party, pledging to dissolve parliament and hold new elections within four months. His appointment follows the ousting of Paetongtarn Shinawatra for ethics violations amid a Cambodia border dispute.
Anutin, known for legalising cannabis in 2022, awaits royal endorsement to officially assume office. His rise leaves the Shinawatra family’s Pheu Thai party in disarray, vowing a comeback.
(ABC News, 05.09.25)
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Australia-PNG to Fully Integrate' Military Forces
Australia and Papua New Guinea (PNG) are preparing to sign a landmark defence treaty, described as a "mutual defence pact," to fully integrate their military forces.
The agreement, was expected to be finalised on September 16, 2025 during PNG’s 50th independence celebrations, allows citizens of both nations to serve in each other’s militaries, with PNG nationals gaining a pathway to Australian citizenship.
The agreement still awaits final cabinet approvals in both countries, with no confirmed signing date yet. It aims to strengthen bilateral security cooperation amid growing regional competition with China and includes provisions for mutual defence and access to each other’s defence facilities. However, concerns persist about preserving PNG’s sovereignty and managing financial implications.
(ABC News, 12.09.25)
NATO Chief Joins Indo-Pacific Defence Conference
From August 26-28 2025, Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone, Chair of the NATO Military Committee, attended the Indo-Pacific Chiefs of Defence Conference in Hua Hin, Thailand, co-hosted by U.S. and Thai military leaders.
Themed “Peace through Strength,” the event addressed regional security perspectives across Northeast, South, Southeast Asia, and Oceania, focusing on emerging technologies and non-traditional threats.
Discussions underscored the growing linkage of Euro-Atlantic and Indo-Pacific security, particularly in the context of China and North Korea’s support for Russia’s actions in Ukraine. Admiral Cavo Dragone stressed the importance of fostering dialogue with Indo-Pacific partners to address global challenges and uphold a rules-based international order.
(NATO, 29.08.25)
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U.S. Kicks Off Military Exercise Pacific Vanguard 2025
 The U.S. Navy and Marine Corps have launched Pacific Vanguard 2025, a multilateral maritime exercise with the Royal Australian Navy and Air Force, Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force, Royal New Zealand Navy, and Republic of Korea Navy.
Conducted in the Mariana Islands, the exercise aims to enhance multi-domain awareness and strengthen coordination for crisis response. It focuses on maritime operations, anti-submarine warfare, air warfare, and joint manoeuvres, while also training personnel in humanitarian aid missions. Led by the U.S. 7th Fleet, the largest forward-deployed fleet, Pacific Vanguard promotes a free and open Indo-Pacific through allied cooperation.(USA Official Website, 26.08.25)
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Asia-Pacific Development, Diplomacy & Defence Dialogue (AP4D)
Chung-Hua Institution for Economic Research (CIER)
 CIER hosted a Business Outlook Seminar in July 2025 which convened industry, government, and academic leaders on the current industry conditions, strategic approaches, risks and future outlook for the second half of 2025 amid global changes in the first half of the year.
CIER has also co-organised the 2025 Forum on Semiconductors and Geopolitics with the Taiwan (R.O.C.) Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Research Institute for Democracy, Society and Emerging Technology, which addressed Taiwan’s potential approaches in ensuring the resilience of its supply chain security in the context of United States-China technology competition.
In pursuit of fostering cooperation between Taiwan and its democratic partners, CIER has taken a leading role in developing cutting-edge economic policy papers through its CIER Economic Outlook publication series, aimed to provide the world with a comprehensive overview of economic trends in Taiwan, and the broader global economy. Recently, CIER collaborated with the Brookings Institution on a joint publication examining the potential of Asian economies to foster new leadership and transregional cooperation in an increasingly uncertain global environment.
Moving forward, CIER will continue to carry out its mission in providing timely sectoral analyses and economic forecasts while expanding its strategic research areas on issues that are increasingly fundamental to the economic stability of Taiwan and the region. Through new collaborations and special reports, CIER will continue to provide evidence-based insights to empower industry leaders, policymakers, academics in navigating the rapidly evolving Indo-Pacific economy.
Governance and Policy Think Tank (GPTT)
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Center for Indonesian Policy Studies (CIPS)
 CIPS recently published Indonesia’s accession to the OECD report which finds a potential surge of foreign investment for Indonesia up to US$87.7bn by 2028. Joining the OECD is expected to accelerate Indonesia’s key sector transformation such as manufacturing, digital services, and renewable energy.
Additionally, CIPS recently held a Roundtable Discussion on Industrial Policies and their Effects on Human Flourishing for the “Golden Indonesia” Vision 2045. The discussion invited policy experts and academia to share their view on CIPS four academic papers which include development trajectories, effects of trade on greenhouse gas emissions (GHG), the effects of local content requirements (LCRs) policy, and impact of localisation policies in the pharmaceutical industry.
Hinrich Foundation
Australian Risk Policy Institute (ARPI)
 ARPI® is advancing the development of the first Intelligence Augmentation (IA) software designed to address functions that Artificial Intelligence (AI) presently does not cover and may never be able to perform. These functions are essential for ‘informed and pre-emptive decision-making’ by leaders and managers across all sectors of society.
A parallel digital project is underway to measure the level of resilience of critical global infrastructure – including water, electricity, gas, transport, fuels, communications, medicines, bushfires, floods, finance and supply chains.
ARPI® has welcomed a new Corporate Affiliate member, SUBSEA CRAFT whose logo appears on its website. |
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SIGNAL Group
 SIGNAL Group is a think tank that empowers Israel to address the rise of China and the Indo-Pacific on the world stage. A hub for capacity building and policy entrepreneurship, SIGNAL Group and its global network is a resource for Israel’s policy community regarding China, the Indo-Pacific and their engagement with the Middle East.
SIGNAL Group's programming in Beijing and with Chinese universities aim to redress misconceptions about Israel and the Middle East. Under the aegis of its "Global Israel Initiative", SIGNAL Group enhances Israel's interaction in the Indo-Pacific through bilateral dialogues and minilateral partnerships.
SIGNAL Group also generates impact through its annual conference, policy roundtables and workshops and research publications, including its Hebrew language quarterly assessment series.
A priority area for SIGNAL Group is deepening Israel’s strategic and economic ties with India, reflecting its commitment to fostering stronger partnerships across the Indo-Pacific region. |
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CUTS International
Copyright © 2025 CUTS International, All rights reserved.
CUTS International, D-217, Bhaskar Marg, Bani Park, Jaipur 302016, India.
Ph: +91.141.2282821, Fax: +91.141.2282485
E-mail: ipcsf@cuts.org, Website: https://cuts-global.org/
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AP4D also continued with its Studies in Statecraft series launching papers on
Amid growing tensions in the Middle East, GPTT has published multiple analytical pieces, including