The Philippines and the US have recently organised the 3rd Maritime Dialogue in Manila, during which they reaffirmed their shared commitment to upholding the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), as well as underlined the importance of the ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague (the Netherlands) in 2016 on the East Sea.
Hanoi（VNA) - The Philippines and the US have recently organised the 3rd Maritime Dialogue in Manila, during which they reaffirmed their shared commitment to upholding the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), as well as underlined the importance of the ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague (the Netherlands) in 2016 on the East Sea.
Under the chair of Assistant Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) for Maritime and Ocean Affairs of the Philippines Marshall Louis Alferez and US State Department Deputy Assistant Secretary Mahlet Mesfin, delegates reviewed current cooperation efforts and discussed ways to effectively address challenges and common concerns in the sea.
The discussions revolved around maritime law enforcement, especially information sharing, capacity building and joint operations, as well as modernisation of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG). The two sides agreed to continue collaboration in marine environmental conservation and climate change initiatives, and exert joint efforts to address illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing in the region.
During the dialogue, the US State Department announced a new grant worth 8 million USD for PCG modernisation. The grant will support infrastructure development, training programmes, and building resource management plans for the PCG.
Held for the first time in 2022, the Maritime Dialogue is a forum to improve maritime policy and coordination between the two countries. The DFA announced that the fourth event of this kind will be hosted by Washington in 2025./.
Thousands of Philippine and American troops kicked off joint military drills dubbed Balikatan, or “shoulder to shoulder” in the Philippines on April 22.
The alliance between the Philippines and the US is very solid and many US businesses want to invest in the Southeast Asian country, US Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo said on March 11 during her two-day official visit to the Philippines.
The Philippines and the US will hold security talks in Washington on April 11, the first in about seven years, a spokesman of the US Embassy in Manila said on March 20.
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.
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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.
Financial institutions and financial technology (fintech) players are intensifying their focus on expanding across the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), adopting tailored strategies to strengthen their presence in the region’s digital financial services landscape.
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.
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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.
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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.
