ASEAN intergovermental commission on human rights meets in Philippines
The ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) started a two-day special meeting in the Philippines’ capital city of Manila on September 16.
The ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) started a two-day special meeting in the Philippines’ capital city of Manila on September 16.
This was the sixth session in the AICHR’s meeting series under the chairmanship of Malaysia as ASEAN’s chair in 2015, according to the Malaysian Foreign Ministry. AICHR representatives and officials from ASEAN member countries according and the ASEAN Secretariats attended the event.
Participants discussed matters regarding priority programmes for AICHR 2014/2015, guidance on the relationship among AICHR and civil social organisations as well as AICHR thematic research.
Per the announcement of the Malaysian Foreign Ministry on September 16, the 2015-2015 annual report, the five-year work plan (2016-2020) and 2016 preferential programmes are presented at the meeting.
The meeting will also address preparations for the European Union visit of the AICHR and other ASEAN agencies, which are scheduled to take place from October 19-23.
The ministry revealed that the next special meeting of the AICHR is expected to be held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from November 27-29, during which the country will hand over the AICHR Chairmanship to Laos.-VNA
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is approaching its goal of establishing a stronger and more active framework, named the ASEAN Community, by 2015. The formation of community will bring the bloc even closer together and improve the lives of people across the region, Vietnamese Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh has stressed in an interview granted to the press and the Vietnam News Agency.
With a view to contributing further to the joint efforts of the international community in promoting and protecting human rights across the world, Vietnam has enhanced its international cooperation and joined bilateral and multilateral forums in the field, while making every effort to ensure basic human rights are respected.
The 10th Meeting of the ASEAN Commission on the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Women and Children (ACWC) took place in Jakarta, Indonesia, on February 25-27 to review the implementation of the ACWC Work Plan in 2012-2016 and discuss a plan for 2016-2020.
In the Chairman’s Statement of the 26th ASEAN Summit, ASEAN leaders shared their serious concerns expressed by some leaders on the land reclamation being undertaken in the East Sea.
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.
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.
Illustrative image (Photo: AFP/VNA)
