Overview: Kazakhstan’s Refined Fuel Production Kazakhstan is a major hydrocarbon producer, pumping about 90 million tons of crude oil in 2023 (a 6.9% increase from 2022). It has three large domestic refineries – Atyrau, Pavlodar, and Shymkent – and a smaller Caspi Bitum plant in Aktau. After a series of
Higher education across the Asia-Pacific is confronting a convergence of urgent challenges – from high youth unemployment to the digital divide, aging populations, climate change, and rapid economic disruption. The region’s leaders are increasingly turning to artificial intelligence (AI) as a catalyst for educational innovation, aiming to transform these challenges
Global AI Competitiveness Landscape Asia – Asia’s tech powers are making massive, coordinated investments to lead the next era. China has a state-driven AI strategy aimed at global leadership by 2030. Beijing’s Next-Generation AI Plan (2017) promotes domestic innovation hubs and AI integration across industries, from smart cities to
In the midst of a 90-day pause in the US–China tariff war, city leaders worldwide have a unique window to bolster their leadership in artificial intelligence (AI) and emerging technologies. Rather than wait on uncertain trade negotiations, proactive cities are moving to develop forward-thinking policies that attract talent, nurture
Executive Summary Most APEC economies grapple with elevated fiscal deficits and debt in the post-pandemic era. APEC's average public debt level has surged to about 104% of GDP in 2023, up from under 100% pre-pandemic. Such sustained deficit spending – while supportive during recent crises – now poses economic risks:
Executive Summary SPONSORED AI for Gen Z researchers The most engaging tool for understanding the information that matters most to you... Try MemenomeLM Memenome.gg, an AI-driven education platform, exemplifies how AI character-based interactive learning can captivate Gen-Z learners. Its business model – using AI characters to turn study materials into
Executive Summary U.S. manufacturing is experiencing a revival powered by federal incentives (e.g. the CHIPS and Science Act, Inflation Reduction Act) and the reshoring of strategic industries. From 2023–2025, unprecedented sums have been announced for semiconductors, electric vehicles (EVs), batteries, and other high-tech sectors . For example, by
Executive Summary Past economic crises—from the 1930s Great Depression to the 2020 COVID-19 shock—show that swift, bold policy responses often make the difference between recovery and prolonged stagnation. Proactive fiscal and monetary stimulus (e.g. FDR’s New Deal, post-2008 ARRA) reflate demand and restore confidence, while delaying
China–Korea: Mini-Series, Maxi-Opportunity “Epex will be the first all-K-pop group to play in China since 2016.”, — Yonhap, 29 Apr 2025 Historic pattern: every time diplomacy thaws, content is first through the door, and money follows. Regulators are cracking open the “Hallyu door” precisely as China’s paid mini-drama market
“AI is still young— and it belongs to the young.”, — President Xi Jinping, Shanghai AI round-table, 29 Apr 2025 ⚡️ AI EDU NEWSLETTER The Global Chessboard in One Sentence President Xi’s sound-bite pins a flag on a new battleground: shape young minds with AI today, shape economic power tomorrow. Region
Executive Summary Urban contemporary art – from massive outdoor murals to pop-surrealist installations – has experienced a remarkable global surge since 2020. In the wake of COVID-19, artists transformed city streets into open-air galleries as murals “popped up everywhere” to uplift communities . Governments and cultural organizations have increasingly embraced public art as
Executive Summary China’s near-monopoly over rare earth elements (REEs) – critical for high-tech, defense, and green energy – has long been a strategic concern for the world . Beijing has carefully managed its rare earth exports for decades, oscillating between tightening and loosening controls. In 2010, China’s temporary halt of REE
