Int’l efforts needed to end Syria crisis: Vietnamese ambassador
Vietnamese Ambassador Dang Dinh Quy underlined the importance of confidence-building measures and called on parties involved to engage in constructive dialogue concerning Syria’s conflict, while addressing an UN Security Council (UNSC) videoconference meeting on March 15.
New York (VNA) - Vietnamese Ambassador Dang Dinh Quy underlinedthe importance of confidence-building measures and called on parties involved toengage in constructive dialogue concerning Syria’s conflict, while addressingan UN Security Council (UNSC) videoconference meeting on March 15.
“The Syrian conflict has now raged for 10 years — roughlythe length of [the First World War and Second World War] combined,” Geir Pedersen,Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Syria, told council members, addingthat the tragedy will go down as one of the darkest chapters in recent history.
He stressed the need to put a new means of internationaldiscussion in place and a new international format for the necessary diplomacyand cooperation.
Dang Dinh Quy, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the UN (Photo: VNA)
For his part, Dang Dinh Quy, Permanent Representative ofVietnam to the UN, echoed other council members’ view on the necessity ofpromoting a Syrian-led and Syrian-owned political process in accordance with Resolution2254 approved by the UNSC in 2015.
He noted international and regional efforts made over thepast decade are yet to produce satisfactory outcomes due to a lack of trustbetween the parties.
Quy called on the sides to restrain themselves from actionsthat might make the conflict escalate, maintain stability to facilitatenegotiation efforts, and offer all-rounded support to Syria to overcome itschallenges./.
Ambassador Pham Hai Anh, Chargé d’affaires ad interim of Vietnam at the UN, reiterated that Vietnam categorically condemns the use of chemical weapons in any form, by anyone, anywhere and under any circumstances during an UN Security Council (UNSC)’s open video teleconference (VTC) on February 3.
Ambassador Pham Hai Anh, Chargé d’affaires ad interim of Vietnam at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), voiced his concern over the unstable security and humanitarian situation in Syria while attending the UNSC’s online meeting on February 9.
Ambassador Dang Dinh Quy, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the United Nations, called on related sides in Syria to enhance cooperation in order to ensure humanitarian aid is not disrupted and is delivered to all regions at the right time.
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.
Indonesia ranks as the world's sixth-largest gold reserve holder, producing an estimated 160 to 200 tonnes annually, mainly through major state-owned enterprises. Despite this, much of the mined gold is held or traded abroad. In 2024 alone, Indonesia exported gold worth 5.4 billion USD while reimporting 2.6 billion USD worth of the metal.
Cambodia and Thailand vowed not to undertake provocative actions that may escalate tensions, including entering the other side’s air space and territory, and refrain from constructing or enhancing military infrastructure.
At the meeting (Photo: VNA) 
Dang Dinh Quy, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the UN (Photo: VNA) 
