Ambassador Nguyen Phuong Nga, Head of Vietnam’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations (Photo VNA)
New York (VNA) – Poverty eradicationand development gaps narrowing are always top priorities of the Association ofSoutheast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
Ambassador Nguyen Phuong Nga, Head of Vietnam’sPermanent Mission to the United Nations (UN), made the statement at the 56thsession of the Commission for Social Development of the United Nations Economicand Social Council, which began in New York on January 29.
She reiterated the bloc’s strong commitment toimplementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
The establishment of the ASEAN Community in 2015and the adoption of the ASEAN Vision 2025 affirmed the determination of membercountries to build a community of peace, prosperity, self-reliance and looktoward people, she said.
ASEAN has gained remarkable achievements inrecent times in poverty eradication, especially reducing the number ofextremely poor people to 44 million in 2015 from 138 million in 2000, shenoted.
The Ambassador added that in November 2017,leaders of ASEAN countries adopted a statement on Science, Technology andInnovation for sustainable economic development, job creation and empowermentof people.
She highlighted ASEAN’s efforts to carry out programmesto support people with disabilities, empower women economically and promoteyouth development.
She also underlined the significant role ofinternational cooperation, especially the endevours of ASEAN and the UN inpromoting the ASEAN Vision 2025 and the UN Agenda 2030, of which povertyeradiation is defined as a priority field.
Themed “Strategies for eradicating poverty toachieve sustainable development for all”, the gathering will last untilFebruary 7, focusing on sharing experience of countries in poverty eradicationand evaluating the implementation of the UN action plans and programmes onpeople with disabilities, the elderly, youngsters and families.-VNA
Despite more than 40 years of environmental management in the ASEAN region, degradation of the environment continues, affecting the most vulnerable populations, a senior policy advisor for the Institute for Global Environment Strategies said on August 3 at a climate-change forum held in Vientiane, Laos.
The 38th ASEAN Senior Officials’ Meeting on Drug Matters (ASOD 38), taking place in Hanoi from July 25-27, has approved a ASEAN cooperation plan on preventing illegal drug production and trafficking in the Golden Triangle during the 2017-2019 period.
Outgoing Vietnamese Ambassador to Indonesia Hoang Anh Tuan has affirmed to do his utmost in the new position as Deputy Secretary-General of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to contribute to the bloc’s effective operation.
Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines, Thailand and Brunei on January 25 agreed to cooperate and coordinate on exchange of information to counter radicalism and terrorism in the region.
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.
Ambassador Nguyen Phuong Nga, Head of Vietnam’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations (Photo VNA) 
