UNSC shows concern about humanitarian crisis in Syria
The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) held a regular discussion on the humanitarian situation in Syria on March 29 via teleconference under the chair of US Secretary of State Antoby Blinken.
The discussion was held online on March 29 (Photo: VNA)
New York (VNA) – The United Nations Security Council (UNSC)held a regular discussion on the humanitarian situation in Syria on March 29 viateleconference under the chair of US Secretary of State Antoby Blinken.
According to Mark Lowcock, Under-Secretary-General forHumanitarian Affairs, after a “decade of death, destruction, displacement,disease, dread and despair”, there is still no respite in sight for ordinarySyrians. Some 13.4 million people across the country continue to requirehumanitarian aid, 20 percent more than in 2020.
The deep economic decay from a decade of war has deepenedover the last year, not least as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, he said.
Henrietta Fore, Executive Director of the United NationsChildren’s Fund (UNICEF), said 2021 marks 10 years since thestart of the Syrian crisis, “an anniversary no one wanted to see”. Homes,hospitals, schools and water systems have been destroyed, and economic crisishas plunged 90 percent of the population into poverty, millions areinternally displaced or have fled the country and humanitarian law continues tobe flouted with impunity.
Emphasising that nearly 90 percent of children acrossSyria require humanitarian assistance and that 3.2 million young peoplethere and in neighbouring countries are out of school, she warned that they arealso vulnerable to violence, exploitation, early marriage, child labour orrecruitment into armed groups.
Members of the council showed deep concern about thehumanitarian situation in Syria and underlined the need to increase support tolocals, especially amid serious economic crisis and the urgent need for medicalsupplies and COVID-19 vaccines. They called for stronger diplomatic support toseek political solutions in the country.
Addressing the event, Ambassador Dang Dinh Quy, head of theVietnamese Mission to the UN, showed his concern about the situation in Syriaafter a decade of conflicts, especially difficulties facing women, children andother vulnerable groups.
He called on all parties involved to strengthen cooperationto avoid the interruption of humanitarian aid, while calling on theinternational community to join hands to ensure highest efficiency ofhumanitarian activities.
He stressed the significance of a long-term politicalsolution to the Syrian crisis to completely end the current situation./.
Vietnam continues to follow closely the situation in Afghanistan and reiterates its support for the Afghan-led and Afghan-owned inclusive peace process, said Ambassador Dang Dinh Quy, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the UN, at a UN Security Council (UNSC) meeting on March 23.
Ambassador Pham Hai Anh, deputy head of the Vietnamese delegation to the UN, has reaffirmed Vietnam’s support for a Libyan-led and Libyan-owned comprehensive political solution on the basis of respecting independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Libya.
Fostering the cooperation between the United Nations (UN) and regional organisations to promote trust building and dialogue in preventing and settling disputes will continue to be one of three priorities of Vietnam while it holds the rotating presidency of the UN Security Council (UNSC) in April, said a Foreign Ministry official.
Vietnam is looking to leave its imprints as the Chair of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) in April through the Chair’s statements and resolutions built by Vietnam and other UNSC member countries, Ambassador Dang Dinh Quy, head of the Vietnamese delegation to the UN, has stated.
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.
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 discussion was held online on March 29 (Photo: VNA) 
