Cambodia begins vaccinations for children aged 12-17
Cambodia began a COVID-19 vaccination drive targeting children aged 12-17 in its capital Phnom Penh and three provinces of Kandal, Koh Kong and Preah Sihanouk on August 1.
Phnom Penh (VNA)♒ – Cambodia began a COVID-19vaccination drive targeting children aged 12-17 in its capital Phnom Penh and threeprovinces of Kandal, Koh Kong and Preah Sihanouk on August 1.
Prime Minister Hun Sen said vaccination for children is a key stepto herd immunity in communities. At least 2 million children in Cambodiaare expected to be vaccinated in the campaign, he said, adding that the countryis mulling inoculating children aged 10-11.
🌃 He said the authorities will also soon beginadministering booster shots to adults who are fully vaccinated.
The same day, the PM announced that theGovernment has decided to give the third shot of AstraZeneca vaccine to thosewho previously received two shots of China’s Sinopharm and Sinovac vaccines. He added that about 500,000 – 1 millionfrontline workers, especially those in areas bordering Thailand, will be givenpriority for the third shot.
As of July 31, over 7.3 million adults in Cambodia received atleast one shot while over 4.7 million obtained two shots.
🍸 Its Health Ministry reported on August 1 that additional 23deaths and 671 new cases were recorded in the past 24 hours, including 265imported and 406 community cases. The figure brought the total caseload to77,914, of whom 70,754 recovered and 1,420 died./.
The Government of Cambodia has handed out roughly 381 million USD for its cash relief programme to support nearly 660,000 families hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic, reported the national news agency AKP.
Cambodia’s Ministry of Health (MoH) announced on July 27 that the Customs Office had seized three containers of frozen buffalo meat imported from India after the meat tested positive for coronavirus SARS-CoV-2.
The Cambodian Government on July 28 announced a nationwide campaign to strengthen COVID-19 prevention and control measures, as the country is facing the third wave of larger transmission caused by Delta variant of coronavirus SARS-CoV-2.
Police of the Central Highlands province of Dak Nong on July 30 presented gifts and medical supplies worth 100 million VND (4,300 USD) to help their counterpart in Cambodia’s Mondulkiri province fight COVID-19.
Total trade between Indonesia and New Zealand in the first half of 2025 reached 963.23 million USD, an increase of 21.56% compared to 792.39 million USD in the same period last year. Of this amount, Indonesia's exports to New Zealand totaled 374.89 million USD, while imports 588.35 million USD
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.
Illustrative image (Photo: AFP) 
