27th ASEAN – New Zealand Dialogue takes place in Cambodia
The 27th ASEAN – New Zealand Dialogue took place on February 20-21 in Cambodia, focusing on commitments to further deepening bilateral strategic partnership in 2020.
Hanoi (VNA) – The 27th ASEAN – New Zealand Dialogue took place onFebruary 20-21 in Cambodia, focusing on commitments to further deepening bilateralstrategic partnership in 2020.
Participants acknowledged outcomes in cooperation between ASEAN and NewZealand, and pledged to closely coordinate in ensuring efficiency of regionalcooperation mechanisms such as the East AsiaSummit (EAS), the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), the ASEANDefence Ministers' Meeting Plus (ADMM ).
Sharing the same view of supporting an open, fair and rules-based multilateral internationaltrading system, the two sides agreed to evaluate the implementation andnegotiation for upgrading the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (AANZFTA)and exert efforts to complete negotiations on the Regional Comprehensive EconomicPartnership (RCEP) in 2020.
The meeting also noted the progress of drafting the ASEAN-New Zealand ActionPlan for the period 2021-2025.
New Zealand affirmed its support for the central role played by ASEAN in theregion, while appreciating the “ASEAN Outlookfor the Indo-Pacific” document, and proposingthe strengthening of cooperation in the fields relating to security, economy,people and environment.
Regarding international and regional situations, the two sides reiterated theirviews on the East Sea stated at the ASEANForeign Ministers’ Retreat in January, which emphasised theimportance of maintaining peace, stability, security, freedom of navigation andaviation in the East Sea, strictly and fully implementing the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the EastSea (DOC), and actively negotiating tobuild an effective and substantive Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC).
New Zealand supports ASEAN's efforts in humanitarian assistance activitiesin Myanmar's Rakhine state, and denuclearisation on the Korean Peninsula.
The two sides also shared concern over the impact of the coronarivus disease (COVID-19)on the world and the region, and agreed to enhance cooperation to combat thisdisease.
As the ASEAN Chair, Vietnam shared ASEAN's prioritiesand initiatives in 2020, affirming that Vietnam will continue to promote theclose relationship between the bloc and New Zealand.
Vietnam also suggested stronger cooperation between the two sides in specificfields such as maritime collaboration, economic connectivity, sub-regionaldevelopment and gender equality. It affirmed to closely coordinate with ASEAN countriesand New Zealand to successfully organise the ASEAN-New Zealand Summit in order tocelebrate the 45th anniversary of the partnership between the two sides in Aprilthis year./.
ASEAN and New Zealand sought measures to step up their cooperation at the fourth meeting of their Joint Cooperation Committee which took place in Jakarta, Indonesia on June 3.
ASEAN foreign ministers had separate meetings with the bloc's partners on July 25 as part of the 49th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (AMM 49) in Vientiane, Laos.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh on January 17 presided over a retreat of the foreign ministers of the ASEAN countries (AMM Retreat), with the participation of the foreign ministers of other ASEAN members and the bloc’s Secretary General Lim Jock Hoi.
Total trade between Indonesia and New Zealand in the first half of 2025 reached 963.23 million USD, an increase of 21.56% compared to 792.39 million USD in the same period last year. Of this amount, Indonesia's exports to New Zealand totaled 374.89 million USD, while imports 588.35 million USD
Malaysia, as ASEAN 2025 Chair, marked the bloc’s 58th founding anniversary on August 8 with a vibrant celebration in Cyberjaya, blending an official ceremony with a colorful cultural festival.
Vietnam plays an important role in Southeast Asia’s economic growth and is a key partner of her country in realising the shared vision of a peaceful, stable, and prosperous region, said Robyn Mudie, First Assistant Secretary of Office of Southeast Asia (OSA) – Southeast Asia Regional and Mainland Division at Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).
The 2025 ASEAN Business Community Development (ABCD) Forum, themed “Empowering ASEAN's Next Leap: Digital, Sustainable & Entrepreneurial Transformation” brought together ministers, CEOs, and top industry experts to discuss key regional economic priorities.
The DES Ministry will seek cooperation from social media platforms to prevent the spread of fake news and monitor accounts related to such activities, he told reporters after chairing a meeting of the newly established Anti-Fake News Centre (AFNC).
The Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking identified the US tariff reduction as a significant driver behind the improved economic outlook for Thailand.
Financial institutions and financial technology (fintech) players are intensifying their focus on expanding across the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), adopting tailored strategies to strengthen their presence in the region’s digital financial services landscape.
Featuring a permanent exhibition area, the ASEAN Hall will function both as a cultural showcase and as a dynamic venue for ASEAN-related events and programmes. Its inauguration on ASEAN Day added symbolic weight, marking a fresh milestone in ASEAN–RoK relations.
Thailand’s Ministry of Commerce and rice exporters are devising strategic plans to boost rice exports amid global market fluctuations, focusing on key markets and adjusting output.
The focus of the upcoming ASEAN Summit in October will be on strengthening economic relations through intra-regional trade and investment, as well as regional initiatives on energy networks and connectivity.
Indonesian Ambassador Rina P. Soemarno, who currently serves as Chair of the ASEAN Committee in Prague, emphasised the spirit of regional solidarity and cooperation, and the importance of enhancing ASEAN–Czech Republic relations.
The Indonesian Government is determined to seize opportunities to enhance the competitiveness of national agricultural products, an official has said, adding that it always strives to promote exports at the highest possible level, based on a mutually beneficial foundation.
Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira has outlined a six-point strategy to promote innovation, support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and push for Thailand's removal from the US Trade Representative (USTR)’s special 301 Watch List regarding intellectual property rights protection among trading partners.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Israel Ly Duc Trung emphasised ASEAN’s central role in regional mechanisms such as the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) and the East Asia Summit (EAS), highlighting its significant contribution to promoting peace, stability, and prosperity in Southeast Asia.
The consumer index of the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC), fell to 51.7 in July from 52.7 in the previous month. The sluggish economy and the trade war, as well as high living costs, continue to undermine confidence, the university said.
Deputy Speaker of the Hungarian National Assembly Istvan Jakab expressed his hope for further deepening Hungary’s ties with ASEAN countries and called for their support for Hungary’s accession to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia.
The 30-storey tower crumbled seconds after a 7.7-magnitude earthquake hit neighbouring Myanmar on March 28. The partially built high-rise, meant to house the State Audit Office (SAO), was the only building in Thailand to collapse, killing 89 people on the site, mostly construction workers.
Indonesia’s waste generation is projected to exceed 50 million tonnes in 2025. Of the total, more than 20 million tonnes could potentially enter the ocean through rivers, coastal areas, small islands, ports, and marine activities, and thereby, pose a risk to coastal ecosystems and marine biota.
Indonesia is accelerating plans to increase lithium imports, particularly from Australia, in a bid to fill gaps in the electric vehicle (EV) battery supply chain and realise its ambition of becoming a global EV manufacturing hub.
Participants at the dialogue (Photo: VNA) 
