South & Central Asia
Rapidly rising populations have dramatically increased demand for forest products. While more of Asia’s forests have come under environmental protection, lenient legislation and enforcement has allowed illegal logging and timber smuggling to flourish. This is especially true in Southeast Asia, where high-value species are found. As a result, Asian countries have some of the worst deforestation rates in the world. Asia: Resources The Center is aimed at strengthening the collective response of ASEAN states to regional disasters. On 17 November, Brazil acceded to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia, making it the first Latin American country to do so. The EAS released a statement on non-proliferation, emphasizing the importance of advancing the goals of all three pillars of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons . On 12 April, during mindfulmediapr the 17th meeting of the ASEAN-China Joint Cooperation Committee , the two sides renewed commitment...