Southeast Asia

Indonesia's Minister for Foreign Affairs spoke at the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly, joining the annual general debate in New York. The address comes as world leaders take the stage to outline their countries' positions on international security, development and multilateral cooperation. Indonesia, Southeast Asia's largest nation and a founding member of ASEAN, traditionally uses the forum to press for reform of global governance and stronger representation of developing countries.

The European Union and the Philippines have achieved a breakthrough in trade negotiations, prompting speculation that a broader trade agreement covering the whole Association of Southeast Asian Nations could follow. Observers are watching whether Brussels will build on the bilateral progress with Manila to pursue a region-wide deal with Asean, deepening economic ties with Southeast Asia.

Nikkei Asia reports that the race among automakers to dominate Southeast Asia's electric vehicle market could leave ordinary drivers behind, as the rapid push for new EV models raises prices beyond what many consumers in the region can afford. The article highlights the tension between automakers' expansion plans and affordability for local buyers.

Live coverage of table tennis at the 2026 Asian Games is drawing viewers across multiple languages, with the sport labelled in Chinese, Japanese and Thai. The Aichi-Nagamoto Games in Japan are the next major multi-sport event in Asia, and table tennis is traditionally one of its most-watched disciplines, with strong followings in China, Japan, South Korea and Southeast Asia.

Vietnam is actively seeking greater Canadian investment in green finance and infrastructure projects, according to reporting by Vietnam Investment Review. The push signals Hanoi's effort to attract foreign capital to support its energy transition and major infrastructure development, with Canada positioned as a key partner for sustainable financing.

The European Union is looking to expand its involvement in the Luzon Economic Corridor, the infrastructure and connectivity project linking Subic Bay, Clark, Manila and Batangas in the Philippines. The corridor, launched under the G7's Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment, is seen as a Western-led alternative to Chinese Belt and Road projects, and Manila has welcomed outside investment.

Singapore recorded its joint-highest daily maximum temperature for September after the Woodlands Avenue 9 climate station reached 35.8°C at 3.27pm on Saturday, 26 September 2026. The reading ties the national September record and adds to ongoing concerns about rising heat in the city-state, with observers linking the milestone to broader climate change trends in Southeast Asia.

Chinese electric vehicle maker XPENG has entered the Philippine market, debuting with a lineup of six variants across two models: the X9, a premium electric MPV, and the L03 sedan. The move marks another step in XPENG's international expansion as Chinese EV brands push into Southeast Asian markets.