ASEAN senior officials gather ahead of Foreign Ministers' Retreat
Senior officials representing the 10 member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) joined talks in the Lao capital of Vientiane on February 26.
Heads of delegations to ASEAN Senior Officials' Meeting (Source: VNA)
Vientiane (VNA) – Senior officials repres🌼enting the 10 member co🌳untries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) joined talks in the Lao capital of Vientiane on February 26 ahead of the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Retreat.
The Vietnamese delegation to the event was headed by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung.
The ASEAN Senior Officials’ Meeting (SOM) discussed a range of important issues, including ways to effectively realise the ASEAN Community Vision 2025, as well as relations between the group and its dialogue partners.
The officials were also given information on the progress of the post-2015 Plan on ASEAN Connectivity and preparations for the third phase of the ASEAN Connectivity Initiative.
Under the theme “Turning vision into reality for a dynamic ASEAN Community,” Laos, as the ASEAN Chair in 2016, has proposed an array of priorities, including narrowing development gaps in the bloc, and increasing ASEAN connectivity, tourism development, small- and medium-sized enterprise development, trade facilitation, job generation and ASEAN cultural heritage preservation.
The AMM Retreat, slated for February 27, is the first meeting of ASEAN Foreign Ministers under Laos ’ leadership in 2016. During the meeting, the ministers will discuss ways to effectively implement the ASEAN Community Vision 2025 and its three blueprints adopted by ASEAN leaders at the 27 th ASEAN Summit held in November last year.-VNA
The Prime Minister has given the green light for the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on enhancing tourism cooperation between ASEAN member states and China, Japan and the RoK.
The formation of the AEC has opened up a wider market for Vietnamese enterprises to trade goods, attract investment and participate more deeply in the regional production and supply chains.
The special ASEAN-US Summit kicked off in Sunnylands, California, the US, on February 15 (US time) with the presence of US President Barack Obama and leaders of the 10 ASEAN member countries.
Now is not a good time to be looking for a job in Southeast Asia as economic growth cools down across the region, according to FT Confidential Research (FTCR) – a unit of the Financial Times.
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.
The new halal cooperation arrangement will streamline halal certification and product assurance processes, making it easier for New Zealand exporters to access the Indonesian market.
VAMAF President Datuk Shaharuddin Omar shared the plan at the association’s 103rd anniversary ceremony, noting support from the Vietnam Veterans Association. The initiative is expected to open new markets for Malaysian Halal products and improve livelihoods for its members.
Heads of delegations to ASEAN Senior Officials' Meeting (Source: VNA)
