Indonesia seeks long-term medical cooperation with US
Indonesia is keen to start long-term cooperation with the US in the health sector, including possible co-development of mRNA vaccines to protect against COVID-19.
Jakarta (VNA) – Indonesia is keen to startlong-term cooperation with the US in the health sector, including possibleco-development of mRNA vaccines to protect against COVID-19.
During her visit to the US, Indonesian ForeignMinister Retno Marsudi met with Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken andNational Security Advisor Jake Sullivan on August 3 (local time).
Retno explored cooperation with the US in theprovision of therapeutic drugs, cooperation in developing vaccines with mRNAtechnology and strengthening the global health resilience system for the longterm, according to VOI News.
Indonesia expects US support to be able to buildIndonesia's capacity in making the latest technological vaccines based on mRNA.Long-term cooperation efforts are important in efforts to reduce the globalaccess gap to COVID-19 vaccines and medicines and anticipate potentialpandemics in the future, she explained.
Sullivan pledged to provide additional 30 million USDfor Indonesia to assist the country in the pandemic combat. The US will also continueto help Indonesia with vaccines and medical supplies.
Indonesia aims to become a COVID-19 vaccine productioncentre in the world.
Earlier, Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs ofIndonesia Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan also visited the US and suggested cooperationin vaccine production between Indonesian and US firms./.
Indonesian Minister of Finance Sri Mulyani Indrawati and his US counterpart Steven T. Mnuchin remotely completed the signing of the Cooperation Framework to Strengthen Infrastructure Finance and Market Building on September 18.
Indonesia’s Foreign Minister Retno LP Marsudi said on November 1 that the country has retained its status as a beneficiary of the US’s Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) following a recent visit to Jakarta by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.
Indonesia and the US discussed the possibility of extending the generalized system of preferences (GSP) during the visit of US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Ruth Sherman to Indonesia on May 31 in Jakarta.
Indonesian Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto and US Ambassador to Indonesia Sung Kim on July 8 discussed ways to intensify bilateral trade between the two nations.
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.
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.
Illustrative image (Photo: Internet) 
