Deputy head of the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs’ International Cooperation Department Ha Thi Minh Duc (Source: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) - The 15th virtual ASEAN GO-NGO Forum on Social Welfare and Developmenttook place on September 21.
Theannual event is held within the framework of the ASEAN Senior Officials Meetingon Social Welfare and Development (SOMSWD).
Themed“Strengthening Family Resilience and Solidarity: Braving the Adversity and Adaptingto the New Normal”, it is part of efforts by the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Communityto battle COVID-19.
Addressingthe event, deputy head of the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and SocialAffairs’ International Cooperation Department Ha Thi Minh Duc said COVID-19 hasposed many socio-economic and medical challenges across the globe.
Thepandemic has also dealt a blow to the lives of people, especially women, children, andfamilies, she added.
Morethan 30 million Vietnamese have been affected by the disease and incomes have slumped57 percent. Earnings from agriculture at half of families in rural areas aredown 38 percent, while garment-textile is among the hardest-hit sectors.
In additionto curbing the spread of COVID-19, the Vietnamese Government and relevant agencieshave rolled out a number of measures to support people affected by the pandemicand to recover business operations.
Delegatesdiscussed family problems, particularly those arising from COVID-19, noting thatthe pandemic has had a major impact on vulnerable families in ethnic minority groups,those with non-official workers, and migrants. Quality and all-round access to essentialservices, including health care for mothers and children, education, and welfareare also hindered by the pandemic.
Theyalso exchanged views on enhancing the role of families as an essential support system,and protecting families across ASEAN. Storiesfrom ASEAN nations on strengthening family resilience and solidarity amid COVID-19were also shared./.
Military officers from ASEAN member states exchanged views on issues regarding regional security and measures to enhance results-oriented cooperation between the operations departments of armies in the region, during the 10th ASEAN Military Operations Meeting (AMOM-10) held online on September 16.
The ASEAN high-level conference on Human Resource Development for the Changing World of Work was held virtually on September 16 by Vietnam as the ASEAN Chair 2020, with the participation of 150 delegates.
The 23rd ASEAN Finance Ministers’ and Central Bank Governors’ Meeting Plus Three (AFMGM+3) was held virtually on September 18, with discussions focusing on a wide range of measures to promote regional economic growth.
New Zealand highly evaluated Vietnam’s role as Chair of ASEAN 2020, especially amid the challenging and unusual circumstances, said Alison Mann, New Zealand's Senior Official for APEC, East Asia Summit, ASEAN Regional Forum and SEAN.
The Republic of Korea (RoK), China and Japan agreed on May 3 to reinforce the regional financial safety net, along with members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), by launching a new financing facility programme meant to extend greater support in case of a financial crisis.
A technical issue combined with an extreme heatwave was blamed for a series of explosions at a military base that killed 20 soldiers and injured several others in Cambodia on April 27, the country’s Ministry of Defence said in a May 2 statement as reported by the Xinhua news agency.
The Customs Department of Thailand is scheduled to commence the collection of value-added tax (VAT) on imported goods sent via postal services, regardless of the goods value, starting in May.
A lecturer from Chulalongkorn University’s Faculty of Medicine has warned Thais to be more vigilant against COVID-19, saying infection rates appeare to be worsening with higher hospital admissions, deaths and severe cases.
Malaysia should harness the collective expertise and resources to drive sustainable growth and development of the halal industry, according to Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry Zafrul Abdul Aziz.
Laos has officially restored the 10% value-added tax (VAT) rate starting May 1, in a bid to support the country’s budget revenue and socio-economic development.
The ASEAN Future Forum 2024 (AFF 2024) entered its second plenary session in Hanoi on the afternoon of April 23, discussing ways to ensure comprehensive security for the people-centred ASEAN Community.
The first session of the ASEAN Future Forum 2024 (AFF 2024) in Hanoi on April 23 focused on fast and sustainable growth for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
The Canada-ASEAN Business Council (CABC) and the ASEAN Alliance on Carbon Markets (AACM) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen collaboration and accelerate the implementation of carbon crediting programmes across Southeast Asia.
ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn reaffirmed ASEAN leaders' commitment to empowering the youth to unleash their full potential when he had a dialogue with ASEAN youth in Hanoi on April 22 on the sidelines of the ASEAN Future Forum (AF 2024).
The Thai Government is being urged to increase the proportion of renewable power generation to more than the target of 50% set in the power development plan (PDP).
The Centre for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG) of Indonesia on April 21 lifted its tsunami advisory issued previously following the eruption of Mount Ruang in Sitaro district of North Sulawesi province.
Thailand expects to export about 1 million tonnes of durian, valued at an estimated 130 billion THB (3.53 billion USD) this year, with most of the shipments to China, according to Minister of Agriculture Thammanat Prompao.
The 72nd meeting of the ASEAN Working Group on Intellectual Property Cooperation (AWGIPC) and related meetings are being held by the Ministry of Science and Technology’s Intellectual Property Office (IPO) of Vietnam in the central city of Da Nang on April 22-26.
Enhancing regional food security and tackling the pressing challenges of climate change will be key agendas defining Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship in 2025, Speaker of the Dewan Rakyat (lower house) Johari Abdul told the press on April 19.
Deputy head of the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs’ International Cooperation Department Ha Thi Minh Duc (Source: VNA) 
