Jakarta symposium, exhibition mark 25th anniversary of ASEAN integration initiative
The Initiative for ASEAN Integration (IAI) has become a key mechanism in narrowing development gaps among member states, helping the CLMV fully implement the joint commitments and comprehensively participate in the bloc’s integration and community building processes.
The opening ceremony of the August 11 photo exhibition on the 25th anniversary of the Initiative for ASEAN Integration (IAI) in Jakarta. (Photo: VNA)
Jakarta (VNA) – Ambassador Ton Thi Ngoc Huong, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to ASEAN and Chair of the Initiative for ASEAN Integration (IAI) task force, on August 11 presided over a symposium and photo exhibition celebrating the 25th anniversary of the IAI, an important milestone in the journey to narrow development gaps across the region.
The IAI supports new members in fully integrating into the ASEAN Community, including Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam (CLMV), and Timor-Leste, which was recognised as a beneficiary last year.
The images on display at the exhibition retraced key milestones since the IAI was launched at the 4th ASEAN Informal Summit in 2000. The IAI features a total of 862 projects worth over 170 million USD.
In his opening remarks, ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn underlined that the IAI has become a key mechanism in narrowing development gaps among member states, helping the CLMV fully implement the joint commitments and comprehensively participate in the bloc’s integration and community building processes.
Ambassador Huong stressed that the 25th anniversary is an opportunity to reaffirm the determination to enhance cooperation, close development gaps, and work towards building a cohesive, inclusive, and resilient ASEAN Community for all members.
From right: Ambassador Ton Thi Ngoc Huong, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to ASEAN (1st) and ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn (2nd) visit the exhibition. (Photo: VNA)
Also at the opening, Japanese Ambassador to ASEAN Kiya Masahiko highlighted the IAI’s importance in assisting less-developed member states to deepen their regional integration.
Tetsuya Watanabe, President of the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA), noted the IAI’s significant achievements, including the implementation of over 860 projects, training of more than 51,000 personnel across the region, and reduction of the GDP per capita gap from 3.4 times in 2000 to 2 times in 2020. He also commended the CLMV’s progress in macroeconomic stabilisation, infrastructure development, and economic legal reforms.
During the symposium, delegates discussed the bloc’s approach to the IAI beyond 2025, emphasising the need to align the initiative with the ASEAN Community Vision 2045. Priority areas identified by member states included digital transformation, capacity building, infrastructure development, response to emerging challenges, sub-regional cooperation, innovative financing mechanisms, and climate resilience.
♋ The meeting also served as a platform for ASEAN’s partners to share their priorities and potential support for the IAI in the years to come./.
The meeting provided an opportunity to reaffirm both ASEAN member states' and partners’ commitment to strengthening cooperation and narrowing development gaps.
Over 58 years of formation and development (August 8, 1967 – August 8, 2025), the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has affirmed its position as a successful model of regional cooperation and integration, with its role and reputation growing ever stronger. ASEAN continues to promote comprehensive and in-depth intra-bloc cooperation, while expanding and enhancing relations with numerous global partners. It has successfully initiated and maintained its central role in various regional cooperation mechanisms.
According to the Ministry of Industry and Trade’s Multilateral Trade Policy Department, the meeting focused on recent global and regional economic developments, including updates from the ASEAN Geoeconomics Task Force's meetings.
Four other major Thai destinations - Phuket, Pattaya, Chiang Mai, and Hat Yai - also ranked among the region’s top cities for repeat visits, reflecting Thailand’s diversity and enduring appeal for travellers of all types.
In its Pre-Budget Statement 2026, the ministry stated that growth will be anchored by resilient domestic demand, particularly through private investment, stable employment, and income-enhancing measures such as targeted cash transfers and wage increases.
Singapore is at risk of chikungunya transmission as the number of reported cases this year has more than doubled compared to last year, the country’s Communicable Diseases Agency (CDA) has reported.
On August 11, major RoK outlets, including Yonhap News Agency, KBS, The Korea Herald, and The Korea Times, provided prominent coverage of the talks held the same day between General Secretary Lam and President Lee Jae Myung, during which both sides agreed to strengthen cooperation in economy, security, technology, and culture.
The Singaporean government needs to enable people, workers and businesses to make full use of these tools, and enhance their competitive advantage. It “will walk this journey” with Singaporeans as it has done for the past six decades, said Prime Minister Lawrence Wong.
Thailand emits roughly 350 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent annually, with the energy and industrial sectors accounting for more than 75% of this amount. Though this volume represents just 1% of global emissions, the Thai Government is eager to achieve carbon neutrality, a balance between carbon dioxide emissions and absorption, by 2050.
The Malaysian government is undertaking a structured assessment to examine the role of nuclear power as a potential option for clean, stable, and competitive electricity within Malaysia’s future energy mix.
It aims to identify and honour digital technology initiatives, products, and solutions with practical applications; promote creativity in technology development; anticipate trends and development potential in digital technology; and recognise the role of digital technology in economic growth and enhancing quality of life for citizens in ASEAN countries.
Addressing the ceremony, Indonesian Ambassador Simon D.I. Soekamo, the rotating Chair of the ASEAN Committee in Cuba, highlighted the bloc's spirit of friendship and solidarity, and reaffirmed ASEAN's core values of peace, stability, and prosperity through cooperation and dialogue.
Vietnam’s pavilion notably displayed traditional crafts from the centuries-old lacquerware village of Ha Thai and Chu Dau ceramics. The atmosphere was further enriched by delegations wearing their countries’ traditional costumes, including the elegant ao dai and the graceful ao tu than of Vietnamese women.
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.
