Singapore calls for stronger intra-ASEAN cooperation in COVID-19 fight
Speaker of the Singaporean Parliament Tan Chuan-Jin called for a coordinated and well-calibrated approach to regional challenges and stressed the importance of strengthening existing intra-ASEAN cooperation efforts to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Speaker of Singaporean Parliament Tan Chuan-Jin (C) calls for stronger intra-ASEAN cooperation in COVID-19 fight (Photo: VNA)
Singapore (VNA) - Speaker of the Singaporean Parliament Tan Chuan-Jincalled for a coordinated and well-calibrated approach to regional challengesand stressed the importance of strengthening existing intra-ASEAN cooperationefforts to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.
During his speech at the virtual 41stGeneral Assembly of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA 41), which was chaired by VietnameseNational Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan from September 8-10, theSingaporean leader stressed that ASEAN member nations need to use platformslike AIPA, to foster greater cooperationand building mutual understanding, trust and confidence, thus weatheringthe COVID-19 storm together.
He called on regional countries to prepare for a new normal period followingthe pandemic, and continue to enhance their cooperation in areas of common interestsuch as cyber security and developing smart cities, as well as longer-standing ones like stopping trans-boundary crimeand tackling climate change.
This will ensure that ASEAN remains resilientand relevant in the decades to come, the Speaker stressed.
He highlighted the significance of the theme “Parliamentary Diplomacy for aCohesive and Responsive ASEAN Community” decided by Vietnam, saying that thisshows that the group need to harmoniously coordinate to effectively and promptlycope with the health crisis.
ASEAN member countries should to work closely together and with its partners tomaintain their responsive ability in order protect people's lives, he added.
The Speaker took the occasion to thank Vietnamese NA Chairwoman Nguyen Thi KimNgan for hosting the event, and congratulated Vietnam on its role as the ASEANChair at a challenging time like today./.
President of Cambodia’s National Assembly Heng Samrin highlighted regional and international cooperation and solidarity for common interests and benefits amid challenges brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic at the virtual 41st General Assembly of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA-41) on September 8.
Chuan Leekpai, President of the National Assembly of Thailand, has expressed his firm belief that the ongoing 41st General Assembly of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA-41) will be the most successful under the host of Vietnam.
Heads of member legislatures of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) voiced their support for stronger parliamentary diplomacy and cooperation, especially in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, at the first plenary session of the 41st AIPA General Assembly on September 8.
Vietnam is making positive contributions during its Presidency of the 41st General Assembly of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA 41) for a cohesive and responsive ASEAN Community, the Foreignaffairassia website has said.
Azhar Azizan Harun, Speaker of the House of Representatives of Malaysia, on September 8 affirmed the Malaysian Parliament’s undivided support of the remarkable efforts by AIPA members towards the realisation and collaboration of a greater ASEAN.
The 41st General Assembly of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA 41) themed “Parliamentary Diplomacy for a Cohesive and Responsive ASEAN Community” will discuss a series of important issues during its second working day on September 9.
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.
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.
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.
Speaker of Singaporean Parliament Tan Chuan-Jin (C) calls for stronger intra-ASEAN cooperation in COVID-19 fight (Photo: VNA) 
