Leaders of ASEAN member states and partners at the 31st ASEAN Summit. (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – Tension on the Korean peninsula was high on theagenda at the 12th East Asia Summit (EAS) which took place in Manila,the Philippines, on November 14.
The summit, held in the framework of the 31st ASEAN Summit, was attended byleaders and representatives from ten ASEAN member states and Australia, China,India, Japan, New Zealand, Russia, the Republic of Korea (RoK) and the US.
While calling for joint efforts to denuclearise the Korean peninsula, RoKPresident Moon Jae-in stated that the most important mission is to stabilisethe situation and prevent provocative missile and nuclear tests by theDemocratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) while persuade the country come backto the negotiating table by every possible diplomatic measures.
He also asked EAS member states to support Seoul’s efforts in ensuringlong-term peace on the Korean peninsula.
Meanwhile, Kyodo News quoted EAS’s draft joint statement, saying that thecountries “strong urged the DPRK to immediately and fully comply with allrelevant UN Security Council resolutions and urged all states to do the same”.
The participants at the summit also asked the DPRK to give up its missile andnuclear programmes comprehensively.
The East Asia Summit has been held annually since 2005 as a high-leveldiscussion of leaders of nations in the Asia-Pacific region on a wide range ofregional and global issues.
The EAS brings together ten members of ASEAN (Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia,Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippine, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam),Australia, China, India, Japan, the Republic of Korea, New Zealand, Russia, andthe US.-VNA
Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc met with United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and European Council (EC) President Donald Tusk in Manila, the Philippines on November 13 on the sidelines of the 31st ASEAN Summit and related meetings.
The largest ever ASEAN-India business and investment summit will be held in New Delhi capital city of India in January 2018, announced Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
RoK President Moon Jae-in and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang have reaffirmed commitments to quickly normalise the countries’ ties soured by the deployment of a US missile defence system in the RoK.
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte and President of the Republic of Korea (RoK) Moon Jae-in on November 13 agreed to enhance bilateral ties and discussed measures to protect people of the two countries.
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.
Leaders of ASEAN member states and partners at the 31st ASEAN Summit. (Photo: VNA) 
