Japan hails significance of strengthening ASEAN+3 cooperation against COVID-19
The development of cooperation between ten member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and its partners - Japan, China, and the Republic of Korea (RoK) - is significant in coping with COVID-19, the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs told Vietnam News Agency reporters on April 16.
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe attends the online Special ASEAN+3 Summit on COVID-19 (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) -The development of cooperation between ten member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and its partners - Japan, China, and the Republic of Korea (RoK) - is significant in coping with COVID-19, the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs told Vietnam News Agency reporters on April16.
The ministry emphasisedthat enhancing collaboration within ASEAN and the Asian region as a whole is ofgreat importance in curbing the spread of COVID-19, adding that countriesshould freely share experience and information in a timely and transparentmanner.
It also pledged that Japanwill continue to hold its leading role in regional cooperation and connectivityto cope with the pandemic.
While attending theonline Special ASEAN+3 Summit on COVID-19 hosted by Vietnam, as ASEAN Chair2020, on April 14, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe suggested strengtheningcapacity to cope with infectious diseases, establishing a centre to deal withinfectious diseases, and providing greater economic aid packages.
The ministry said that,in the long term, it is necessary to maintain and strengthen supply chains andinformation networks within ASEAN.
Japan highly evaluated Vietnam’s initiative in organising the Special ASEAN+3 Summit via video conference, it said./.
Leaders attending the online Special ASEAN+3 Summit on COVID-19 response on April 14 shared experience and sought concrete measures to soon stamp out the pandemic.
The Special ASEAN Plus Three Summit on Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) via video conference on April 14 issued a joint statement. The following is the full text of the joint statement.
Cooperation between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and East Asian countries is the key to containing and putting an end to the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe told the press on April 14.
Vietnam, in its capacity as ASEAN Chair 2020, has played a significant role in initiating, organising and accelerating the online Special ASEAN+3 Summit on COVID-19 on April 14, said Ling Dequan, former chief representative of China’s Xinhua News Agency in Vietnam.
Japanese Ambassador to ASEAN Chiba Akira said on April 15 that sharing information and knowledge in a free, transparent and speedy manner is of utmost importance and a prerequisite for regional cooperation in response to COVID-19.
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.
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe attends the online Special ASEAN+3 Summit on COVID-19 (Photo: VNA) 
