James Nachipo, Chairman of the APEC Counter Terrorism Working Group (CTWG), stressed that terrorism is a hard issue that requires more work and cooperation in the APEC region.
HCM City (VNA) – James Nachipo, Chairman of the APEC Counter Terrorism Working Group(CTWG), stressed that terrorism is a hard issue that requires more work and cooperationin the APEC region.
He told the Vietnam News Agency on the sidelines of the CTWG Meeting that istaking place in Ho Chi Minh on August 18-19.
Nachipo said that during the meeting, 49 delegates from APEC member economiesmulled over the group’s strategic plan, which will be expired this year, andset forth a new strategic plan for the 2018-2020 period, focusing on airterrorism.
The group is also developing another plan that looks at counterterrorismfinance, movements of terrorists and foreign fighters, security and trade,and security infrastructure, he said.
A plan for 2018 will also be made to identify a number of projects andactivities which will be taken by the member economies this year to support thegroup, Nachipo added.
During the August 18 working session, the group discussed the draft APECLeaders Declaration 2017 on Counter-Terrorism submitted by its Chairman JamesNachipo, under which the APEC economies noted withconcerns the growing threat of terrorism in the region.
They were committed to countering the spread of radicalisation conducive toterrorism, terrorists propaganda, including the use of the internet and socialmedia for terrorism related purposes, as well as acts of public justificationof terrorism intended to incite terrorists acts.
To enhance synergy of global counterterrorism efforts, APEC will enhance itscooperation with major international organisations such as the UN and theFinance Action Task Force.
APEC economies will continue take coordinated actions, exchange information andshare best practices to effectively respond to the terrorist challenges in theregion, as guided by the APEC’s Consolidated Counter Terrorism and Secure TradeStrategy, the document said.-VNA
Around 2,600 delegates from 21 APEC member economies have arrived in Ho Chi Minh City for the third APEC Senior Officials’ Meeting (SOM 3), which begins on August 18.
The tenth meeting of the APEC Port Services Network (APSN) Council under the Transportation Working Group (APTWG) was held in Ho Chi Minh City on August 18.
Nearly 100 delegates from 21 APEC member economies discussed best practices sharing of standards and conformity assessment implementation on smart cities in the region at a workshop in HCM City on August 18.
The APEC 2017 Food Security Week and a High-Level Policy Dialogue on Enhancing Food Security and Sustainable Agriculture in Response to Climate Change kicked off in the Mekong Delta city of Can Tho on August 18.
The impact of government policy instruments on promoting new energy vehicles was the main topic of the APEC 2017 Automotive Dialogue Workshop in Ho Chi Minh City on August 18.
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.
Malaysia’s gross expenditure on R&D (GERD) reached 1.01% of gross domestic product in 2022, a notable increase, with more than 51% contributed by the industry sector. The country is targeting GERD to reach 2.5% by 2030, in line with the national goal of transforming into a high-technology nation.
The facility was established in response to a growing shift in the Filipino labour force from the Middle East to Japan, where workers are seeking safer working environments.
In the latest Indonesia-US trade agreement in July, the US administration agreed to reduce the reciprocal tariff, which was initially set at 32% by US President Donald Trump last April, to 19%.
Real estate agency ERA Singapore estimated that there are 2,703 condo developments in Singapore today, of which 836 or 31% are at least 30 years old. In 10 years, this number is expected to climb to 1,160, assuming none is sold en bloc.
The new framework is designed to ensure that incoming investments deliver tangible national benefits, such as the creation of high-quality jobs for Malaysians and the development of local company ecosystems and technologies.
Singapore led with a total of 8.8 billion USD in realised investment, followed by Hong Kong and mainland China, Malaysia, and Japan with 8 billion USD, 1.7 billion USD and 1.6 billion USD, respectively.
Thai Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai on August 7 outlined his strategy for tackling drug problems in Thailand, aiming for a "Zero Drugs Thailand" within three months.
The US has described Malaysia's role as Chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) as vital in helping ease tension between Thailand and Cambodia.