COVID-19 raises fragility of conflict-ridden countries: Indonesian FM
The COVID-19 pandemic has raised the fragility of conflict-ridden countries and even risk them to fall back into crisis, Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi told a UN Security Council debate on August 13.
Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi. (Photo: Citizen Daily)
Jakarta (VNA) – The COVID-19 pandemic has raised the fragility ofconflict-ridden countries and even risk them to fall back into crisis,Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi told a UN Security Council debate onAugust 13.
Indonesiaholds presidency of the council for this month.
In her remarksas chair of the virtual debate on the pandemic and challenges of sustainingpeace, Retno underlined three points in response to this crisis.
First,sustaining peace must be part of the comprehensive response to this pandemic.Countries must ensure the inclusive participation of local stakeholders in sustainingpeace agenda and the international community must create conduciveinternational environment to sustain peace during the pandemic.
Second,sustaining peace requires synergy between the works of all UN system. In thisregard, the UN should integrate conflict-sensitive approach into its pandemicresponse. General cessation of hostilities and humanitarian pause would enabletimely delivery of aid and COVID-19 treatments to civilians in conflicts.
Third, it is importantthat countries optimise theuse of the limited resources at hand for sustaining peace, as the majority ofthese countries are now faced with a hard choice between spending on healthinfrastructure or peacebuilding.
Indonesia'sleadership in setting the agenda for this month's UNSC sessions are welcomed byCouncil members. Several high-ranking officials of UNSC member states,including Minister of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam, South Africa, Estonia, aswell as Minister of State of Germany participated in the meeting./.
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The UN Security Council (UNSC) held an online meeting on August 11 to discuss the situation in Lebanon and recent developments in the Darfur region of Sudan.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Spain Hoang Xuan Hai has called for closer cooperation among the countries to effectively respond to unprecedented challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and successfully control the disease.
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.
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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.
Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi. (Photo: Citizen Daily)
