ACMECS, CLMV tourism ministers' meetings open in Cambodia
The 5th Ayeyawady-Chao Phraya-Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy (ACMECS) and the 6th Cambodia – Laos – Myanmar – Vietnam (CLMV) Tourism Ministers' Meetings kicked off in Siem Reap province, Cambodia on November 3 under the online chair by Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen.
Phnom Penh (VNA) – The 5th Ayeyawady-Chao Phraya-Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy (ACMECS) and the 6th Cambodia – Laos – Myanmar – Vietnam (CLMV) Tourism Ministers' Meetings kicked off in Siem Reap province, Cambodia on November 3 under the online chair by Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen.
In his opening remarks, the Cambodian PM said the events offer a special opportunity for ACMECS and CLMV tourism leaders to assess the impacts of COVID-19 on the tourism sector, thereby setting out appropriate strategies to promoting recovery and more cooperation.
He spoke highly of efforts made and being implemented by ACMECS and CLMV tourism leaders, and highlighted the role of the tourism sector during the COVID-19 crisis.
ACMECS and CLMV member nations should further expand cooperation in rural tourism development, including community-based tourism, eco-tourism, adventure tourism, and health and food tourism, he said.
PM Hun Sen underlined the need for ACMECS and CLMV to build a cooperation framework in order to support small and medium-sized enterprises, helping them become the backbone for sustainable and resilient tourism development.
He suggested ACMECS and CLMV countries enhance the exchange of experience on digital transformation in tourism industry.
The ACMECS, a cooperation framework between Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam, aims to utilise member countries’ diverse strengths and promote balanced development in the sub-region. It promotes cooperation in trade and investment, industry, agriculture, transport, tourism and human resource development.
Meanwhile, CLMV promote🔜s sub-regional and regional cooperation among member countries to pr𓆉omote sustainable economic development./.
Vietnam appears to be leading the economic recovery among four emerging economies in ASEAN known collectively as CLMV (Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam), with exports and manufacturing already "far above" pre-pandemic levels, according to Maybank Kim Eng.
A Vietnamese delegation led by Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Tran Quoc Khanh attended the virtual 13th Cambodia - Laos - Myanmar - Vietnam Economic Ministers' Meeting (CLMV EMM 13) on September 10.
The CLMV Action Plan for the 2023-2024 period was approved at the 14th Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam Economic Ministers' Meeting (CLMV-EMM 14), which took place on September 16 in the framework of the 54th ASEAN Economic Ministers' Meeting (AEM-54) in Cambodia's Siem Reap province under the chair of Vietnamese Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien.
Cambodia, the ASEAN Chair in 2022, applauded important discussions related to economic cooperation and development orientations among CLMV countries at the 14th Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam Economic Ministers' Meeting (CLMV-EMM 14) in Cambodia, including the approval of the CLMV Action Plan for the 2023-2024 period.
A Vietnamese delegation led by Ambassador - Permanent Representative of Vietnam to ASEAN Nguyen Hai Bang attended the 68th Initiative for ASEAN Integration (IAI) Task Force meeting and the 12th consultation between the IAI Task Force and ASEAN partners in Jakarta from September 22-23.
The Ministry of Commerce reported that imports also rose 18% to 29.9 billion USD during the same period, resulting in a trade surplus of 1.1 billion USD. In May alone, Thailand posted a 4.6 billion USD trade surplus with the US and a 4.1 billion USD trade deficit with China.
The World Bank will provide a 2.1 billion USD financing package for Indonesia, focusing oncreating jobs, stimulating economic growth, and enhancing access to clean energy across the country.
Member states also reviewed progress on six priority areas for 2025, including the development of an underground cable framework, the follow-up agreement to the ASEAN Petroleum Security Agreement (APSA), the launch of the ASEAN Energy Efficiency Database, and the rollout of an investment platform for sustainable building initiatives.
In March, Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra met with Formula 1 chief Stefano Domenicali and said Thailand would commission a feasibility study into hosting a Grand Prix on a Bangkok street circuit from 2028.
The proposed giant sea wall aligns with bilateral cooperation and has been designated a national priority, considering that several regions in Indonesia are experiencing land subsidence of 10–15 centimetres per year.
International flights were cancelled including Jetstar and Virgin Australia flights to cities across Australia, and flights of Air India, Air New Zealand, Singapore's TigerAir and China's Juneyao Airlines.
The partnership aims to strengthen collaboration in the exploration and exploitation of mineral resources, including gold, copper, and manganese, as well as in the development of steel, aluminum, and renewable energy industries.
The Thai cabinet has approved a seven-year EV bus leasing scheme proposed by the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) for the capital, with an estimated cost of 15.35 billion THB (over 470 million USD).
Aircraft are prohibited from flying below 6,000 metres in the vicinity of the volcano, and should also remain alert to the presence of volcanic ash, which can disrupt flights.
Laos declared the transfer of the press management functions of five key media agencies and associated personnel to the Propaganda and Training Board of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party Central Committee.
Univers said in a statement that the new centre will serve as a hub for innovation, bringing together digital intelligence and climate ambition to accelerate Sarawak's transition toward a low-carbon, tech-enabled economy.
The target is to be completely free from plastic waste within two years. This can only be achieved if all parties implement the initiative with strong discipline.
Indonesia is taking new steps to improve protections for fishery workers, amid concerns over low wages, harsh working conditions, and limited access to social welfare.
The 2025 ASEAN- the Republic of Korea (RoK) Connectivity Forum that opened in Jakarta on June 17 reaffirmed a shared commitment to shaping a connected, resilient future by advancing the ASEAN Connectivity Strategic Plan.
The desk will serve as a service centre providing market intelligence, business licensing guidance, facilitating business cooperation, identifying potential investment projects, and harmonising regulatory policies between the two parties.
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim noted that the Asia-Pacific region accounted for half of global energy consumption and 60% of greenhouse gas emissions in 2024. Despite this, regional countries, including eight of ten ASEAN member states, remain committed to climate goals, including net-zero emissions and tripling global renewable capacity by 2030.
Participants at the meeting (Photo: VNA) 
