Thailand to host 30th Annual Congress of Asia-Pacific Parliamentary Forum
President of the Thai National Assembly Chuan Leekpai has announced that Thailand will host the 30th Annual Congress of the Asia-Pacific Parliamentary Forum (APPF 30) from October 26-29 with the theme “The Role of Parliament in Accelerating Sustainable Development After the Coronavirus 2019 Outbreak”.
President of the Thai National Assembly Chuan Leekpai. (XINHUA/VNA)
Bangkok (VNA) - Presidentof the Thai National Assembly Chuan Leekpai has announced that Thailand will host the 30th Annual Congress of the Asia-Pacific Parliamentary Forum (APPF 30) from October 26-29 with the theme “The Role of Parliament in Accelerating SustainableDevelopment After the Coronavirus 2019 Outbreak”.
At a press briefing onSeptember 29, Chuan said though many countries have downgraded the status of COVID-19 by treating pathogens like theflu, it still has to be classified as an infectious disease under surveillance today.
APPF 30 is a great opportunity for member statesto share and exchange ideas on the best ways to deal with COVID-19 and also includes other infectious diseases that occurin the future.
♒ Main topics will include the role of parliamentarydiplomacy in promoting security in the region, promoting biodiversity and agreen economy for inclusive development, and boosting the use of renewableenergy to achieve carbon neutrality goals, he said./.
Thailand’s Commerce Ministry has vowed to continue ramping up export promotion activities in the remaining months of 2022, with the aim of raising export revenue to 285 billion USD by year-end, hitting the ministry's target and an uptick from 271 billion USD in 2021.
The Government of Thailand on September 20 approved a ministerial regulation to exclude COVID-19 from the list of illnesses that prevent entry into Thailand.
Visitors entering Thailand will no longer be required to show their COVID-19 vaccination or test certificates and infected people with mild or no symptoms will not need to be quarantined from October 1.
The Ministry of Finance will hold talks with the Bank of Thailand to discuss and delve into the factors behind the weakening baht, Minister of Finance Arkhom Termpittayapaisith has said.
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.
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%.
President of the Thai National Assembly Chuan Leekpai. (XINHUA/VNA) 
