ASEAN countries pledge to upgrade regional transport amidst pandemic
ASEAN Member States have committed to improving transport in the region in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic continuing to seriously affect this sector.
Moc Bai Border Gate at Vietnam-Cambodia border (Photo: Backpacker Le)
Phnom Penh (VNA) – ASEAN Member States have committed to improvingtransport in the region in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic continuing toseriously affect this sector.
The joint commitment was made at the 40th ASEAN TransportFacilitation Meeting held via videoconference on March 23-24 by Cambodia.
Kong Sophal, deputy head of the Cambodian General Departmentof Land Transport who chaired the meeting, told The Phnom Penh Post on March 25that the meeting focused on four ASEAN Framework Agreements related to regionaltransport restoration.
These agreements began to be implemented step by step. Butdue to the problem of the pandemic, the agreements have faltered a lot, hesaid, adding that the delegation had discussed ways of continuing the transferof goods at borders and how to facilitate transportation.
At the meeting, representatives of ASEAN countries agreed ontwo documents – the post-COVID-19 recovery programme and the preparation of aspecial route for traders who are obliged to leave and enter countries.
The meeting also discussed problems relating to customs,insurance, transport surveillance systems and legal framework development insupport for all modes of transport./.
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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.
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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).
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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.
Moc Bai Border Gate at Vietnam-Cambodia border (Photo: Backpacker Le) 
