What You Need To Know About the 21 World Leaders In Manila For ASEAN
As the Philippines plays host to the 31st ASEAN Summit, we expect 21 dignitaries and dialogue partners from all over the world to attend the series of meetings. Here, a quick guide to who’s who on the ASEAN guest list.
1. Aung San Suu Kyi
Country: Myanmar
Position: State Counsellor since 2016
Inspired by the principles of Mahatma Gandhi, the state
She's recently been criticized by the international community for failing to speak up for the Rohingya, the Muslim minority in the Buddhist-dominated nation, who have accused the army of widespread rape and murder.
2. Lee Hsien Loong
Country: Singapore
Position: Prime Minister since 2004
Hailed as the richest politician in Singapore, the eldest son of former Singapore prime Lee Kuan Yew is said to have an estimated net worth of US $80 million, despite proposing a one-third pay cut for all ministers, including himself.
His notable achievements include the creation of compulsory healthcare plans for Singaporean citizens, and improving the country’s foreign relations, including China and the US.
3. Prayut Chan-o-cha
Country: Thailand
Position: Prime Minister General since 2014
The former royal Thai army officer is believed to have an estimated net worth of $3.1 million dollars, which consist of cash bank deposits, luxury goods, cars, and property.
His military background allowed him to successfully lead a bloodless coup, the first in over four decades, before electing
4. Nguyen Xuan Phuc
Country: Vietnam
Position: Prime Minister since 2016
Despite natural calamities, Vietnam’s agriculture sector has impressively improved under the prime minister’s leadership. In 2016, the country earned over $2 billion from fruit and vegetable export, thanks to the nationwide adaptation of hi-tech agriculture models.
5. Hassanal Bolkiah
Country: Brunei
Position: Sultan and first Prime Minister of Brunei
One of the richest royals in the world, the Sultan of Brunei is believed to have an estimated net worth of $20 billion, with a lavish car collection, private planes, a grand palace, and his very own theme park, to name a few.
As sultan, he established the
6. Hun Sen
Country: Cambodia
Position: Prime Minister since 1985
While the prime minister has declared that he survives solely on his salary of about $1,150, it is believed that his family’s extensive land holdings, bank accounts, and private companies interests and shares amount to up to $200 million.
He is the world’s longest-serving prime minister and longest-serving head of government of Cambodia. He was instrumental in the 1991 Paris Peace Agreement, which officiated the end of the Cambodian-Vietnamese war.
7. Joko Widodo
Country: Indonesia
Position: President since 2014
Jokowi is the first Indonesian president who does not come from the military or political elite and is well-loved for his humility.
Upon observation that it is primarily the rich that benefit from Indonesia’s steady economic growth, the president declared that his focus for 2017 will be to continue working on lessening the gap between the richest and poorest in
8. Thongloun Sisoulith
Country: Laos
Position: President since 2016
Important achievements of the Lao economy under his watch include growth and development that have become a result of economic reform.
9. Najib Razak
Country: Malaysia
Position: Prime Minister since 2009
His New Economic Model is expected to propel Malaysia into a high-income country by 2020. His government’s top priorities include addressing the country’s education, healthcare, political reform, and domestic-economic issues.
10. Malcolm Turnbull
Country: Australia
Position: Prime Minister since 2015
The prime minister is believed to have an estimated net worth of $200 million, with his Sydney hacienda, art deco New York apartments, a lakeside penthouse, land holdings, and more. He continues to reside in his own home instead of the Kirribilli House, the official residence of the prime minister of Australia.
With Turnbull’s leadership comes a list of significant achievements, including the reform of the senate-voting system for a more transparent government, innovations in science and technology to create more jobs, and an act against domestic violence and the protection of children immigrants.
11. Li Keqiang
Country: China
Position: Premier of the State Council
He came from modest beginnings and is said to have a net worth of $3 million.
He takes pride in the fact that his economic plans have caused the unemployment rate to drop significantly and he continues to promise that China will remain the most attractive investment destination.
12. Donald Tusk
Country: Poland
Position: President of the European Council since 2014
Tusk is believed to be paid only about $62,000 a year and is listed as one of the lowest paid EU leaders.
As prime minister of Poland, he helped transform his country into a modern, developing nation and an important member of the international community. Ultimately, he understands the importance of international ties and European geopolitics.
13. Narendra Modi
Country: India
Position: Prime Minister since 2014
With no personal cars, aircrafts, or yachts, and an estimated net worth of just $0.26 million, the prime minister of India has been lauded for his simple lifestyle.
He was the man behind economic policies that concerned the education and well-being of his countrymen, including the “Make in India”, “Digital India”, and “Digital Literacy” programs; and has also pioneered
14. Justin Trudeau
Country: Canada
Position: Prime Minister since 2015
His estimated net worth is $3.2 million, coming from his salary as the prime minister and leader of the opposition, and in conjunction with his inheritance from his grandfather who owned gas stations, real estate, and even a Montreal baseball team.
As prime minister, he has fought for gender equality in the cabinet of Canada, lowered taxes on the middle class and proposed a new tax bracket for higher-earning citizens, and stopped all Canadian airstrikes on ISIS targets, to name a few.
15. Donald Trump
Country: United States
Position:
His estimated net worth is $3.1 billion, from cash and personal assets, real estate, golf clubs and resorts, and brand businesses.
Many have been skeptical about Trump’s leadership, but because of his new policies and stricter implementation, it has been reported that about a third of territory reclaimed from the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria has been won.
16. Shinzo Abe
Country: Japan
Position: Prime Minister since 2012
His political story is admired by many. He failed once but regained the country’s trust and executed a grand experiment (called ‘Abenomics’) to get Japan’s economy out of stagnation. The prime minister was successful in doing so and continues to lead. He is said to have an estimated worth of $3.9 million.
17. Jacinda Ardern
Country: New Zealand
Position: Prime
Young and feisty, the new prime minister is said to earn just a little over $470,000 a year. Despite this, she is set to perform well in her position, with her plan of action called “pay-it-forward” politics, a strategy that comes from the younger generation’s manner of acting on issues such as housing and climate change.
18. Dmitry Medvedev
Country: Russia
Position: Prime Minister since 2012
His estimated net worth is $2 million, making him the fifth richest politician in Russia. He is fond of luxury cars and owns a vineyard in Italy.
In his first year as prime minister, he took legislative action against smoking in public places, proposed the increase in prices of alcohol, and implemented stricter punishment for drunk drivers.
19. Moon Jae-In
Country: South Korea
Position: President since May 2017
He is the first liberal to take the presidency in South Korea in a decade. His government’s top priority is to create more jobs, especially for the youth, and to address the long work hours,
20. Antonio Guterres
Country: Portugal
Position: Secretary-General of the UN since January 2017
He was once on Forbes magazine’s list of the world’s most powerful people. He previously served as the Commissioner for Refugees at the UN, where he oversaw the welfare of up to 34 million refugees in 110 different countries.
21. Mari Alkatiri
Country: East Timor
Position: Prime
As prime minister of East Timor, his primary goal is “to develop the country and to bring the people out of poverty.” Although the country is not part of the ASEAN regional group, Alkatiri is attending as an observer.
