Vietnam attends review conference on Chemical Weapons Convention
Vietnamese Ambassador to the Netherlands Pham Viet Anh, permanent representative of Vietnam to the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), is attending the fifth review conference on the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) in The Hague from May 15 to 19.
The opening session of the fifth review conference on the Chemical Weapons Convention in The Hague, the Netherlands. (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnamese Ambassador to theNetherlands Pham Viet Anh, permanent representative of Vietnam to theOrganisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), is attending thefifth review conference on the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) in The Haguefrom May 15 to 19.
Over the recent past, member countries of the convention havedestroyed 99% of the declared chemical weapons and pledged to do the same forthe remainder in the near future, heard the conference held every five years.
However, humans are now facing a number of new risks as somechemicals are being used for military and terrorist purposes, directlythreatening the world security and human safety. Therefore, eliminating andpreventing chemical weapons remains an important mission of the OPCW as a technicalorganisation for controlling and verifying the permanent elimination ofchemical weapons and assisting member countries to fulfill their obligations towardsthe CWC.
Given this, the OPCW has built a technical centre namedCentre ChemTech that features modern laboratories and inaugurated it on May 12.This centre, invested with over 34.6 million EUR (37.5 million USD), comes as aresult of the OPCW’s enormous efforts and voluntary contributions from 57member countries, the EU, and some organisations and individuals.
Vietnamese Ambassador to the Netherlands Pham Viet Anh leaves a message for future generations at Centre ChemTech, calling for stronger efforts for the sake of a world free of chemical weapons. (Photo: VNA)
Addressing the inauguration, OPCW Director-General FernandoArias described the centre as a success of multilateral diplomacy and a successsymbol of the international community in keeping global peace and security.
ChemTech will not only serve as a laboratory of the OPCW butalso help improve the organisation’s technical capability in the face ofscientific and technological development as well as the world situation. It willgather and coordinate efforts by scientists, universities, research institutes,civil society and industrial organisations, and related internationalorganisations while becoming a training centre for countries, especiallydeveloping ones, to build the capacity for CWC implementation.
On behalf of Vietnam, Ambassador Anh left a message for future generations at Centre ChemTech, calling for strongerefforts for the sake of a world free of chemical weapons./.
A favourable international environment is needed to promote trust and friendship among countries in order to achieve the effective the disarmament of the nuclear weapons, Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang, Vietnam’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, has said.
The practical implementation of the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) has shown that it is an effective mechanism for the peaceful settlement of disputes at sea, said Vietnamese Ambassador Nguyen Hong Thao, a member of the International Law Commission (ILC) for the 2023-2027 tenure.
A Vietnamese delegation has attended the fourth session of the UN Ad Hoc Committee to Elaborate a Comprehensive International Convention on Countering the Use of Information and Communications Technologies (ICT) for Criminal Purposes.
The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and Vietnam on March 22 signed the world’s most wide-reaching international treaty for multilateral tax cooperation, the Multilateral Convention on Mutual Administrative Assistance in Tax Matters (MAAC), bringing the total number of jurisdictions that participate in the convention to 147.
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 opening session of the fifth review conference on the Chemical Weapons Convention in The Hague, the Netherlands. (Photo: VNA) 
Vietnamese Ambassador to the Netherlands Pham Viet Anh leaves a message for future generations at Centre ChemTech, calling for stronger efforts for the sake of a world free of chemical weapons. (Photo: VNA) 
