U.S.-ASEAN Smart Cities Partnership
USASCP Speaks at Japan-Hosted Event on Smart Cities
Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Marc Knapper and NIST Senior Executive Dr. Chris Greer delivered keynote speeches to an audience of over 180 at Japan's Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) event "Smart City Partnership: Japan-U.S." The discussion panels included participation from USASCP Program Manager Norm Capistrano and USTDA Senior Advisor Jeff Phillips on the government panel while Dr. Elisabeth Smela, University of…
Australia, the U.S. and the Race for ASEAN’s Infrastructure
Both providing infrastructure investments, sometimes in direct competition Although not clearly visible, competition between the United States and Australia in infrastructure cooperation in ASEAN exists. This can be seen from one form of infrastructure cooperation that focuses on the same goal: the development of ASEAN smart cities. As outlined above, the United States and ASEAN…
What Lies Ahead of Indonesia’s 100 Smart Cities Movement?
The rapid transition of Indonesia from a rural to an urban economy has served as one of the benchmarks for the tremendous growth potential of the country, while at the same time emphasizing the many challenges it needs to face. Read Full Article From The Jakarta Post
ASCN: Thinking Beyond Ceremonial Paradiplomacy
Can ASEAN support the growth of "smart" cities? On November 3, ASEAN conducted its 35th summit in Bangkok, Thailand. One notable point was the acknowledgment of the ASEAN Smart City Network Action Plan. The action plan is the next step of the ASEAN Smart City Network (ASCN), where the ASEAN member states have previously agreed on the 32nd…
Can China Outsmart U.S. in Race to Build Smart Cities in SE Asia?
Both committed to regional partnerships but U.S. is struggling to make its mark A year ago, U.S. Vice-President Mike Pence announced that the United States would support a Southeast Asian plan to transform the region's rapidly growing cities into hi-tech hubs. The move would "spur renewed American investment in the region's digital infrastructure", Pence said at the…
KOICA Commits to Coordination with ASCN and USASCP
The 4th Republic of Korea (ROK)-United States Senior Economic Dialogue (SED) was held in Seoul on November 6, with Vice Foreign Minister Lee Taeho and Under Secretary of State Keith Krach leading their respective delegations. Both sides intend to continue their close coordination through the SED to further strengthen bilateral economic ties and enhance their partnership on regional and…
USAID Announces More Than $440 Million for the Indo-Pacific
USAID has dedicated an additional $441 million to expand partnerships with governments, civil society, and the private sector in countries in the Indo-Pacific region in support of activities in energy, infrastructure, digital connectivity, trade, and other economic activities.
U.S. and Japan Announce Joint Development Plans with ASCN
The United States and Japan are working together to advance a shared vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific. Under the Japan-U.S. Strategic Digital Economy Partnership (JUSDEP), we are committed to realizing a global digital economy environment that is open, interoperable, reliable, and secure. This enabling environment is essential to the development of smart cities in…
Indo-Pacific Business Forum Showcases U.S. Commitment
The Indo-Pacific Business Forum in Bangkok promoted the value of high-standard investment, transparency, rule of law, and private-sector-led economic development. Since July 2018, the Department of Commerce has assisted more than 9,000 U.S. companies to do business in the Indo-Pacific region and facilitated more than $7.65 billion in U.S. exports.
OPIC, DFAT and JBIC Launch Blue Dot Network
The U.S. Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC), Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), and Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) today unveiled Blue Dot Network—a multi-stakeholder initiative that brings together governments, the private sector, and civil society to promote high-quality, trusted standards for global infrastructure development in an open and inclusive framework. Read Full…
Who Will Pay for ASEAN’s Smart Cities?
At the ASEAN Smart Cities Network Roundtable Meeting in Bangkok in June, Thailand's Digital Economy and Society Minister Pichet Durongkaveroj called for more public-private partnerships and said his country plans to attract non-ASEAN countries for partnerships and investments in smart city infrastructure as part of the ASCN. Among the countries mentioned were Japan, South Korea and China – all…
Southeast Asia open to Huawei over 5G
Southeast Asian countries eyeing the promise of 5G connectivity to boost economic development are sticking to Chinese telecommunications giant Huawei among others. "It becomes necessary for Southeast Asian countries to explore the possibilities offered by 5G for the next generation," said Farlina Said, noting 5G can be conducive for ASEAN to build the Smart Cities Network,…
