New Zealand reaffirms commitment to enhancing partnership with ASEAN
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern on November 14 reaffirmed the important role of and commitment to strengthening her country’s partnership with ASEAN.
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern (centre) and ASEAN leaders at the online commemorative summit on November 14 (Photo: VNA)
Sydney (VNA) – New Zealand Prime MinisterJacinda Ardern on November 14 reaffirmed the important role of and commitmentto strengthening her country’s partnership with ASEAN.
In a release on November 14, the New ZealandGovernment noted that at the ASEAN-New Zealand Commemorative Summit, which washeld digitally to mark the 45th anniversary of the two parties’ diplomaticpartnership, PM Ardern said: “New Zealand and ASEAN share a strong legacy ofworking together to advance peace and prosperity in our region.”
She pointed out that ASEAN is New Zealand’sfourth largest trading partner, a crucial defence and security partner, and acritical strategic hub that connects her country to Asia and the rest of theworld.
“Our partnership will play an important role asour countries work together to support global efforts to manage the pandemicand ensure fair and equitable access to safe vaccines, and drive economic recoverythrough maintaining open markets for our exporters and resilient supplychains,” she said.
The PM, through a joint statement with otherparticipating leaders, reaffirmed New Zealand’s commitment to strengthening itspartnership with ASEAN under the themes of “Peace, Prosperity, People andPlanet”, which will promote cooperation in areas such as sustainability andclimate change, trade facilitation and digital commerce.
Speaking ahead of the East Asia Summit (EAS), tobe held also via videoconference later on November 14, PM Ardern said themeeting will be a good chance to exchange views with other leaders on thepandemic and issues such as the East Sea and climate change./.
ASEAN and Indian leaders reaffirmed commitment to orienting bilateral ties in the 21st century during the 17th ASEAN-India Summit held in Hanoi on November 12 under the chair of Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc.
ASEAN wishes to enhance effective cooperation and close coordination with the international community and partners, including the US, in order to promptly and effectively cope with emerging challenges, including the COVID-19, thus maintaining a stable environment for countries to develop sustainably.
Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc on November 14 called on New Zealand to open its door wider for goods and agricultural products of ASEAN countries as the sides have substantial potential for cooperation.
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.
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern (centre) and ASEAN leaders at the online commemorative summit on November 14 (Photo: VNA) 
