Singapore eradicates rubella
Over the past decade, rubella cases have decreased dramatically in the Western Pacific Region, as millions of babies and young children have been reached with vaccines.
Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia spans more than 600 million people across diverse nations, cultures, and ecosystems. This archive gathers milestones and solutions stories from the region — covering health, environment, governance, and more. Follow the progress happening across countries like Vietnam, Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand, and beyond.
Indonesia seals $20 billion deal with G7 to speed up clean energy transition
Under the partnership, Indonesia will aim to cap its emissions from the power sector by 2030, faster than the initial target of 2037, and to generate 34% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030.
Norway to pay Indonesia $56 million for drop in deforestation and emissions
In the deal, the Nordic country will pay Indonesia, home to the world’s third-largest tropical forests, to keep its forests standing, thereby reducing its emissions.
Malaysia revokes oil palm concession near UNESCO-listed Bornean park
The 10,900-acre concession was revoked had been the subject of protests and a lawsuit by Penan, Berawan and Tering Indigenous communities who said it threatened their livelihoods.
Indonesia announces plan to protect 10% of its seas by 2030, and 30% by 2045
Indonesia’s marine protection plan is one of the most ambitious ocean commitments any nation has made — a two-phase expansion that would eventually shield nearly a million square kilometers of some of Earth’s most biodiverse waters. The country’s eastern seas sit within the Pacific Coral Triangle, home to more reef fish and coral species than anywhere else on the planet. Experts are cheering the target while urging the government to prioritize genuinely effective, community-centered management over coverage alone. If Indonesia gets this right, it could become a model for tropical nations across the Indo-Pacific.
Singapore to repeal colonial-era law against sex between men
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has announced the repeal of the colonial-era Section 377A of the penal code, under which sex between men is punishable by up to two years in prison.
Japan withdraws funding for major coal projects in Indonesia and Bangladesh, effectively canceling them
Two planned coal-fired power plants, one in Indonesia and the other in Bangladesh, have had their funding withdrawn by the Japanese government, as part of Tokyo’s decision to no longer bankroll coal projects in either country.
Indonesia issues long-delayed rules to protect migrant fishing workers
Marine activists have welcomed the decree, which they say should help improve the global fisheries sector, given that vessels where worker abuse is rife also tend to be engaged in illegal fishing activities.
Malaysia abolishes mandatory use of the death penalty
Malaysia will now allow judges discretion in sentencing and offering a range of substitute sentences for crimes that carry a mandatory death sentence.
Thailand officially removes cannabis from narcotics list and decriminalizes growing plants at home
Some 4,000 prisoners serving jail time for cannabis-related crimes will soon be released and their criminal records for those offenses will be deleted.