Hanoi (VNA) – The 8th ASEANMinisterial Meeting on Minerals (AMMin 8) opened on October 8 in the form ofteleconference.
In his opening remarks, Vietnamese Minister ofNatural Resources and Environment Tran Hong Ha said minerals have contributedto socio-economic development for a long term.
However, overexploitation and unsustainable use ofnatural resources have resulted in serious challenges such as environmentalpollution, ecological breakdown and climate crisis, he added.
It’s time for ASEAN’s minerals sector to reform itsdevelopment pathway to match global trends like circular, low-carbon economy, andreduction of reliance on fossil fuels, the minister stressed.
To build a sustainable minerals sector, he suggestedASEAN strengthen cooperation and coordination in the time ahead.
As an active and responsible member of the ASEANCommunity, Vietnam stands ready to cooperate with countries and partners in thesharing of scientific knowledge about minerals and new technologies to seek newstrategic minerals and create long-term values like museums and geo-parks, Hasaid.
Vietnamese Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Tran Hong Ha speaks at the meeting. (Photo: VNA)
At the meeting, delegates looked into issuesregarding priority solutions and tasks of ASEAN in 2021, the development of theASEAN community, a report on the implementation and supervision of the ASEANMinerals Cooperation Action Plan (AMCAP), and another of the ASEAN Federationof Mining Associations (AFMA), among others.
Cambodian Minister of Mines and Energy Suy Sem saidthe second phase of the AMCAP (2021-2025) should focus on investments in theminerals value chain, and utilise minerals information and data on the ASOOM 3platform.
The delegates also discussed issues relating tomajor solutions and priorities of ASEAN in this year, and the development ofthe ASEAN Community, especially those regarding the fourth industrialrevolution and the circular economy.
They reviewed outcomes of the work of the ASEANSenior Officials Meeting on Minerals (ASOMM) and the working group in 2020 and2021, issued a statement on relevant policies, and approved majorrecommendations on regional cooperation in minerals in response toopportunities and challenges.
They shared the view that the issuance of thestatement on the ASEAN agenda on mining and targets to realise the 2030 agendawill help boost mining cooperation in the grouping comprehensively in the newperiod, toward a prosperous, green and sustainable ASEAN Community, contributingto global initiatives, raising ASEAN’s position as well as the future of eachASEAN member country./.
Chief Justice of the Supreme People’s Court of Vietnam Nguyen Hoa Binh attended the 9th Meeting of the Council of ASEAN Chief Justices (CACJ) which was held virtually on October 7 by the Supreme Court of Indonesia.
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is one of the major hubs for India's global economic engagement, Indian Minister of External Affairs S. Jaishankar said on October 7.
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.
The new framework is designed to ensure that incoming investments deliver tangible national benefits, such as the creation of high-quality jobs for Malaysians and the development of local company ecosystems and technologies.
Singapore led with a total of 8.8 billion USD in realised investment, followed by Hong Kong and mainland China, Malaysia, and Japan with 8 billion USD, 1.7 billion USD and 1.6 billion USD, respectively.
Thai Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai on August 7 outlined his strategy for tackling drug problems in Thailand, aiming for a "Zero Drugs Thailand" within three months.
The US has described Malaysia's role as Chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) as vital in helping ease tension between Thailand and Cambodia.
Vietnamese delegation to the meeting (Photo: VNA) 
Vietnamese Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Tran Hong Ha speaks at the meeting. (Photo: VNA) 
