Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and leaders from nine other ASEAN member countries attended the opening ceremony of the 31st ASEAN Summit in Manila, the Philippines, on November 13.
Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc (6th from left) attends the opening session of the 31st ASEAN Summit (Photo VNA)
Manila (VNA) – Vietnamese Prime Minister NguyenXuan Phuc and leaders from nine other ASEAN member countries attended theopening ceremony of the 31st ASEAN Summit in Manila, the Philippines, onNovember 13. The event also saw the attendance of leaders from around 20 partnercountries and international organisations, including China, the US, Russia, theEuropean Union, and the United Nations. In his opening speech, President of the Philippines Rodrigo Dutertesaid the 31st ASEAN Summit and related meetings offer good opportunities forASEAN member nations and their partners to discuss regional issues. He strongly condemned terrorism and violent extremism as wellas copyright violations and piracy which have posed serious threats to regionaland global economic growth. The President also highlighted ASEAN cooperation in combatingand preventing drug crimes. The ASEAN Summit is the most important event of the bloc thisyear with the participation of leaders from 10 member countries of theAssociation of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and ASEAN partners to strengthensolidarity, promote the grouping’s central role, foster economic growth, narrowthe development gap, and improve the ASEAN Community’s capacity. Related meetings will be held after the summit, including the20th Meeting of the ASEAN Plus Three (China, Japan and the Republic of Korea);separate ASEAN meetings with China, Japan, the Republic of Korea, India, theUS, Canada, the European Union, and the United Nations; and the 12th East AsiaSummit (EAS). As many as 55 documents are expected to be signed and adoptedat the meetings. The Philippines will also issue nine declarations of theChairs of the summits. ASEAN groups Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia,Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.-VNA
Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc arrived in Manila, the Philippines, on the afternoon of November 12, to attend the 31st ASEAN Summit and related meetings from November 12-14.
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.
Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc (6th from left) attends the opening session of the 31st ASEAN Summit (Photo VNA)
