ASEAN 2020: Russia ready to boost cooperation in epidemiology
The Asia-Pacific region has a very high rate of COVID-19 infections and Russia stands ready to share experience in the fight against the pandemic, President Vladimir Putin has said.
Moscow (VNA) - The Asia-Pacificregion has a very high rate of COVID-19 infections and Russia stands ready to shareexperience in the fight against the pandemic, President Vladimir Putin has said.
Addressing the 15thEast Asia Summit (EAS) on November 14, Putin notedthat the Asia-Pacific region has over 20 million coronavirus patients,which makes up almost half – 43.7 percent of the total numberof infected people in the world
As early as 2016, Russiaput forward an initiative of developing anti-infection cooperationin the Asia-Pacific region, he said, adding that its implementationallowed the region to establish coordination between epidemiologicalagencies, arrange experience and information exchanges, and starttraining specialists in this field.
“An advanced trainingprogramme was launched for epidemiologists from the Asia-Pacific regionat a centre in Vladivostok, Russia. The operation of the ASEAN Centre of MilitaryMedicine (ACMM) set up in Bangkok with Russia’s activeassistance is also very useful. In May, the Centre hosteda command-staff exercise on fighting the pandemic which engageddefence representatives of the ASEAN nations and dialoguepartners as well as World Health Organisation experts,” he said.
“The Russian side is opento further active joint work on the epidemiology track. We havemuch to offer in terms of scientific, clinicaland production experience in fighting infections,” Putin said.
“We are ready to provide ourpartners with Russian test systems, reagents for coronavirus diagnostics,including free of charge. As of now over a million testshave been provided to over 40 countries,” the President added.
Regarding the digitisationof the economy, he said Russia now ranks seventhin the world today in terms of people’s involvementin the digital economy. A large number of servicesand support instruments for citizens have already been transferredinto an online format.
Russia welcomed the importantand timely initiative of smart cities proposed two years agoby Singapore, which stipulated the applicationof advanced urban technologies in the Asia-Pacific nations, hesaid, adding that Russia could offer its own technological know-howsin this area./.
Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, as the ASEAN Plus Three Chair, proposed the business community continue standing shoulder-to-shoulder with the governments in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic and in economic recovery in East Asia at the ASEAN Plus Three Leaders’ Interface with Representatives from East Asia Business Council on November 14.
President of the Republic of Korea (RoK) Moon Jae-in attended a virtual East Asia Summit on November 14 evening, during which he proposed participating countries boost solidarity and cooperation in combating the COVID-19 pandemic and building peace on the Korean Peninsula and in East Asia.
The comprehensive partnership between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the United Nations (UN) has been growing stronger than ever in recent years, UN Secretary-General António Guterres said at the 11th ASEAN-Summit held online on November 15.
Prime Minister of Singapore Lee Hsien Loong put forth three areas to boost cooperation among countries during the virtual 15th East Asia Summit (EAS) hosted by Vietnam on November 14.
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.
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.
President Vladimir Putin (Source: AFP/VNA) 
