Transport ministers pose for a photo at the event (Photo: VNA)
Kuala Lumpur (VNA) - The 21st ASEAN Transport Ministe🍸rs Meeting (ATM-21) and related meetings kicked off in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on November 5.
Minister of Transport Dinh La Thang led a Vietnamese delegation to the event.
In his opening remark, Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said transport plays a crucial role in developing ASEAN into a key economy in the world.
The formation of the ASEAN Community at t🐬he end of this year will mark an important milestone, he said, adding that improving regional connectivity via land, air and maritime transport will make a remarkable contribution to the group⛦’s evolution.
Promoting such current connectivity mechanisms as ASEAN Open Skies, Single Aviation Market, ASEAN Highway Network, and Singapore-Kunming Rail Link as well developing seaports and logistics will help increase trade and tourism on both regional and global scales, as part of the ASEAN Connectivity master plan.
The liberalisation of aviation in ASEAN will be a catalyst for the regional economic growth in 2030, he said.
Malaysian Minister of Transport Liow Tiong L💯ai told the press that the ATM-21 will touch upon key issues in the field, including the Kuala Lumpur transport strategic action plan for 2016-2025. The 10-year scheme aims to improve the sector’s operational efficiency, especially an ASEAN single market on civil aviation and goods delivery.-VNA
The ASEAN-China Transport Ministers’ Special Meeting on Connectivity was held on September 2 in Nanning, China, on the sidelines of the 10th China-ASEAN Expo, according to a joint statement.
Transport ministers of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN), China and Japan have adopted several measures to strengthen the cooperation in the field between the 10-member bloc and the two East Asian economic powers.
Sponsors have welcomed ASEAN member nations’ collaboration in transport, and pledged to maintain their support to the development of the region’s transport infrastructure.
An ASEAN Customs Transit System (ACTS) will be piloted in Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand with a view to facilitating the movement of transit goods by road within ASEAN, according to the ASEAN Secretariat’s press release.
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.
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.
Transport ministers pose for a photo at the event (Photo: VNA)
