Cambodia reiterates commitment to further boost ties between ASEAN and partners
Cambodia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation on September 11 issued a press release on the outcomes of the Post-Ministerial Conferences (PMCs) held on the sidelines of the 53rd ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting (AMM 53) and Related Meetings, which were organised virtually from September 9-12.
At the ASEAN PCM+1 Session with the US (Photo: VNA)
Phnom Penh (VNA) – Cambodia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation on September 11 issued a press release on the outcomes of the Post-Ministerial Conferences (PMCs) held on the sidelines of the 53rd ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting (AMM 53) and Related Meetings, which were organised virtually from September 9-12.
Regarding the ASEAN PCM+1 Session with the US, Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Prak Sokhonn highlighted the achievements of good cooperation through both bilateral and regional frameworks.
He thanked the US for its support in healthcare sector and the strong presence on the ground of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) in assisting countries like Cambodia in combating the contagion.
He expressed support for the draft Joint Statement on Human Capital Development. He encouraged the US to continue supporting programmes aimed at upskilling and reskilling the ASEAN workforce so as to enhance ASEAN's industry competitiveness.
He reiterated Cambodia's strong commitment to further deepening Cambodia-US relations as well as ASEAN-US partnership to a new height on the basis of mutual respect, mutual interest and mutual trust.
On the ASEAN PCM+1 Session with Canada, Prak Sokhonn emphasised the importance of concluding an ASEAN-Canada Free Trade Area in order to energise the economic growth for both regions.
Meanwhile, at the ASEAN PMC+1 Session with New Zealand, as the country coordinator, the Cambodian official recommended more cooperation should be explored in areas such as digital economy and e-commerce; smart cities development; tourism, cybersecurity cooperation; capacity building and human capital development in science, technology and innovation; agriculture, food security and food safety.
He reiterated Cambodia's commitment to work proactively with other ASEAN member countries and New Zealand for the convening of the ASEAN-New Zealand Leaders' Summit later this year to commemorate the 45th anniversary of the ASEAN-New Zealand Dialogue Relationship.
Regarding the ASEAN Ministerial Dialogue on Strengthening Women's Role for Sustainable Peace and Security, Prak Sokhonn highlighted Cambodia's diligence in implementing the UN’s women, peace, and security (WPS) agenda, citing Cambodia's contributions to the WPS as evidence of Cambodian women’s increasing participation in humanitarian, de-mining, and peacekeeping operations in many parts of the world.
He also announced that Cambodia will host an event on WPS on the sidelines of the 13th Asia – Europe Meting (ASEM 13) to strengthen cooperation on women empowerment between the two regions./.
ASEAN and Canada agreed to soon elevate their dialogue relationship to a Strategic Partnership during the ASEAN-Canada Ministerial Meeting held online on September 10 as part of the 53rd ASEAN Ministerial Meeting (AMM-53).
Participants to the virtual ASEAN-Australia Ministerial Meeting on September 10 shared the view that the ASEAN-Australia dialogue relationship has made strong progress since its establishment in 1974, and positively contributed to regional peace and stability.
The ASEAN-New Zealand Ministerial Meeting was held online within the framework of the 53rd ASEAN Ministerial Meeting (AMM-53) and related meetings on September 10.
ASEAN Foreign Ministers have adopted a Joint Communiqué of the 53rd ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (AMM 53), Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Quoc Dung told the press on the sidelines of the AMM 53 and related meetings on September 10.
Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Prak Sokhonn recommended ASEAN work towards the creation of “travel corridors” to facilitate business travel in a safe and gradual manner during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The 53rd ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (AMM 53) entered the last working day on September 12, with important events such as the 27th ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), ASEAN-EU foreign ministers’ meeting, and ASEAN-India foreign ministers’ meeting.
Vietnam has taken advantage of the opportunity as the ASEAN Chair to become a bridge promoting intra-ASEAN connection as well as links between the bloc with its dialogue partners, a Canadian expert has said.
The handover ceremony was held at the Malaysian Embassy headquarters in Mexico City on August 8, with the presence of heads of diplomatic missions from ASEAN member states in Mexico.
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.
At the ASEAN PCM+1 Session with the US (Photo: VNA) 
