The global centre of gravity: moving towards Asia

Asia is the largest and most populous continent, home to more than 60% of the total world population. It can be subdivided in five regions – North Asia, Central Asia, East Asia, South-east Asia and Western Asia – and consists of 52 nation states, two of which (Turkey and the Russian Federation) lie partially in Europe. China has become the most important country in Asia, and is a political and economic driver for the development of the continent

At NUPI, research on Asia is broadly conceived. Important thematic areas include the role of Asia in the world economic, regional trade agreements and economic development, Norway’s economic relations with Asian countries, as well as foreign policy and security policy in the region. Among other things, this involves studies of how Asian counties work together within organizations like ASEAN, and how the two Asian great powers, China and India, influence policy developments within the region as well as globally.

Sources: Store Norske Leksikon and NUPI.