Economies.
EU Trade Deals May Link Tariffs to Deforestation Levels
The European Union's interim trade agreement with Mercosur, applied since May 2026, could set a precedent for future pacts, including those with Malaysia, Thailand, India, and Indonesia.
IMF Projects 3.1% Global Growth, Fed Lifts Rate to 4.00%
The International Monetary Fund's latest outlook, presented in Bangkok, shows an increasingly uneven global recovery, with Asian long-term bond yields rising 40–60 basis points this year.
Coastal 500 Leaders Demand Climate Funds for Local Ecosystems
A global network of local government leaders advocates for increased financing and community authority to manage interconnected natural systems, ahead of upcoming UN climate and biodiversity summits.
IIED: 2.24% of Nature Aid Mentions Indigenous Peoples
Research from the International Institute for Environment and Development shows only 2.24 per cent of nature-related aid descriptions mention Indigenous Peoples, raising concerns ahead of COP17 in Armenia.
IMF: Asia growth easing to 4.8% in 2026 amid tech boom
The International Monetary Fund projects Asia will contribute 68% of global growth in 2026, shaped by an energy shock, accelerating AI, and trade shifts from tariffs.
Barbados champions new economic development model
The Bridgetown Initiative redefines progress by focusing on national capability, financial system reform, and affordable long-term finance for nations facing global stressors.
IMF Chief Flags AI's Dual Impact: Asia Growth, Labour Market Shift
International Monetary Fund Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva warned from Bangkok that artificial intelligence poses a "slow-moving tsunami" to jobs and tax revenues, even as it promises to boost growth in advanced Asian economies.
Wellcome: Heat Endangers Maternal Health, Adaptation Funding Lags
A global survey by Wellcome found nearly all maternity workers treated patients affected by extreme heat, as UN climate chief Simon Stiell noted a significant gap in climate adaptation finance for developing nations.
US Job Growth Misses Forecasts at 29,000, Unemployment Rises to 4.2%
September's nonfarm payrolls fell short of consensus economist estimates, with annual wage increases slowing to 3%, the lowest since 2021, easing inflation concerns.
USAID Cuts Create US$1 Billion Green Funding Gap, Report Says
A new analysis from One Earth Partners details how the 2025 termination of USAID's environmental funding has impacted projects and economies in Vietnam, Bangladesh, and other nations.
US Fisheries Agency Plans Looser Domestic Fishing Rules
The US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries released 34 priorities on 2 September, intending to reduce restrictions on where, when and how fishers operate.
Climate adaptation: Asia-Pacific faces US$27bn annual flood losses
A new survey of 18,000 people shows deep concern over global warming's effects on jobs and living costs, with businesses expected to deliver solutions.
US, China agree 10m tonnes coal imports, pursue tariff cuts
Beijing will import 10 million metric tons of US coal annually in 2027 and 2028, with both nations pursuing tariff reductions on US$30 billion in goods.
US Mortgage Rates Exceed 7% to Two-Year High
The contract rate on a 30-year fixed mortgage reached 7.12% last week, marking the highest point since May 2024 and dampening home financing applications.
John Lee unveils Hong Kong's first five-year financial hub strategy
Hong Kong's Chief Executive John Lee presented the city's first five-year blueprint this week, aiming to fortify its financial sector as a core economic strength.