Sustainable AI Conference: Malaysia’s AiSED and Asia e University will host the AiSED International Conference 2026 (Dec 2–4) in Shah Alam, focusing on “Harnessing AI” for sustainable development through entrepreneurship and diplomacy. Banking Restructuring: Maybank Indonesia’s shareholders approved it becoming the operational holding company for the Maybank Financial Conglomerate, alongside majority stake acquisitions in Maybank Asset Management, Maybank Sekuritas and Etiqa. Aviation Demand: IATA said May passenger demand fell 2.2% y/y, with the Middle East conflict still dragging overall figures even as load factors hit record highs. Philippines Tax Push: OECD data puts the Philippines’ tax-to-GDP at 18.1% in 2024—below APAC but ahead of most ASEAN peers—while noting local tax limits. Water Stress Watch: India’s finance ministry flagged water buffers as a top priority amid weak monsoon and lower reservoir storage. Bangladesh Rates Debate: Dhaka’s business chamber criticized Bangladesh Bank for holding the policy rate at 10%, warning of a fiscal-monetary mismatch. Logistics in Dubai: DP World and Lintara broke ground on a 20,000 sqm build-to-suit logistics centre in Jafza, due Q1 2027. Space Deal: Qatar and Türkiye signed to jointly develop Qatar’s third satellite, Es’hail-3/Turksat-Biruni, with Thales Alenia Space building it. Cybersecurity Research: The NDSS Symposium will move to Seoul in March 2027, reflecting Asia-Pacific’s growing security research role. Energy-Oil Context: A new Energy Institute report says all energy sources grew in 2025, with oil production outpacing consumption and Hormuz disruption less catastrophic than feared.