ASEAN countries paying more attention to environmental cooperation
ASEAN member countries have been paying ever greater attention to environmental cooperation, a meeting held by the Vietnam Environment Administration (VEA) at the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment on December 17 heard.
At the 31st Meeting of the ASEAN Senior Officials on the Environment and Related Meetings on November 24-27, 2020 (Photo: the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment)
Hanoi (VNA) - ASEAN member countries havebeen paying ever greater attention to environmental cooperation, a meeting heldby the Vietnam Environment Administration (VEA) at the Ministry of NaturalResources and Environment on December 17 heard.
The meeting reviewed the operation of the ASEAN SeniorOfficials on the Environment (ASOEN) as well as the implementation of Vietnam’srelated initiatives during its ASEAN Chairmanship 2020.
Nguyen Van Tai, head of the VEA, said ASEAN countries joinedhands this year in containing the COVID-19 pandemic while addressing priorityenvironmental issues in the region such as climate change, the marine environment, chemicals and waste, and water resources management, among others.
Nguyen Thanh Nga from ASOEN Vietnam said the countrysuccessfully organised the 31st meeting of ASOEN in the form of ateleconference in November.
Vietnam has demonstrated its efforts and resolve to completeits assigned tasks, contributing significantly to regional integration innatural resources and environment, she said.
ASOEN Vietnam has actively contributed to thegrouping’s environmental cooperation documents, Nga went on, adding that it hascompleted the building of a website that aims to popularise ASOEN’s activitiesas well as its cooperation with partners.
It will play a more active role in regionalcooperation next year, particularly in climate change, environmental education,environmentally-sustainable cities, chemicals and waste, climate change, natureand biodiversity conservation, and water resources management, she said.
It will also launch the fifth ASEAN EnvironmentallySustainable City Award 2021./.
The 15th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on the Environment (AMME 15) and related meetings concluded in Siem Reap, Cambodia, on October 9 and released a joint statement.
As a reliable partner and responsible member of the international community, Vietnam has actively participated in and effectively contributed to the Mekong – Lancang Cooperation (MLC) mechanism from the very first days of its establishment, stated Permanent Deputy Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son.
Climate change mitigation and adaptation, marine waste management, environmentally sustainable cities, and air and water pollution are among cooperation areas targeted by Vietnam and Japan in the time ahead.
The 31st Meeting of ASEAN Senior Officials on the Environment (ASOEN 31) and related meetings kicked off via videoconference on November 24 and will run until November 27.
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.
At the 31st Meeting of the ASEAN Senior Officials on the Environment and Related Meetings on November 24-27, 2020 (Photo: the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment) 
