National flags of ASEAN countries (Source: asiapacific.ca) Manila (VNA) – Ten member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and its dialogue partners, namely China, Japan, and the Republic of Korea, have called for closer regional cooperation to combat terrorism and violent extremism. Catalino Cuy, Officer-in-Charge of the Philippine Department of the Interior and Local Government, revealed this information at a press conference in Manila on September 21 following the 11th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Transnational Crimes (AMMTC) and the Special ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on the Rise of Radicalisation and Violent Extremism (SAMMRRVE). The ministers acknowledged the threat of violent extremism and agreed to strengthen coordination to prevent terrorism via sharing experience, information, training, resources and building capability in the field, he … [Read more...]

ASEM logo (Source: internet) Hanoi (VNA) - Economic leaders from Asia and Europe nations have gathered for the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) in Seoul, the Republic of Korea, to discuss ways to cope with rising protectionism in trade and to cooperate in the next industrial revolution. According to the RoK’s Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, the 7th ASEM economic ministers' meeting, which is being held on September 21-22, has seen the attendance of economic ministers and senior officials from 51 nations. The main theme of this year's meeting is "Reconnecting Asia-Europe: Innovative Partnership for Inclusive Prosperity." The meeting is expected to provide an opportunity for Asia and Europe to discuss ways to promote trade and investment, as well as to come up with joint responses to rising protectionism. Trade has been a major driver for … [Read more...]

A metro project in HCM City. Viet Nam leads the South East Asian countries in infrastructure spending. — Photo tindiaoc.vn Viet Nam led the South East Asian countries in infrastructure spending, which was 5.7 per cent of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP), a recent report by property services firm CBRE revealed. The report titled ’Connecting Asean: Infrastructure, Integration and Real Estate Growth’ noted that the demand for infrastructure in Viet Nam was intensified, given the large-scale urbanisation and the positive economic outlook. Citing statistics, the report stated that the urban growth in Viet Nam increased from 27 per cent in 2005 to 34 per cent in 2015. Vast investments in infrastructure developments were bolstering the property market, according to CBRE. In major cities such as HCM City and Ha Noi, planned metro lines had been set up to foster the … [Read more...]

At the event (Source: VNA)   Hanoi (VNA) – The APEC Women and the Economy Forum 2017 is scheduled to take place in Hue city, the central province of Thua Thien-Hue, from September 26 to 29, aiming to enhance women’s integration and economic power in a changing world. Deputy Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs Dao Hong Lan said at a press conference in Hanoi on September 20 that the forum aims to contribute to APEC’s joint efforts and continue implementing the recommendations on economic efficiency integration, finance and society, and women’s empowerment, which APEC leaders made in 2016. The forum will help with the realisation of APEC 2017’s priorities for the sake of sustainable, innovative and inclusive growth, she noted. It will feature three main events, namely the meeting on policy partnership on women and the … [Read more...]

At the meeting (Photo: VNA) Manila (VNA) – Vietnam proposed a resolution on strengthening intra-regional cooperation to build an ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) of equal development and inclusive growth at the second plenary session of the 38th ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) General Assembly in the Philippines on September 19. The resolution, which was adopted with high consensus from AIPA member countries, suggests enhancing multinational cooperation to narrow development gap, ensure sustainable poverty reduction and effective implementation of social welfare. It calls for considering the building of a common institutional framework for the AEC. Vietnam also put forward ideas to modify the content of a resolution on combating marine plastic debris and micro-plastic proposed by Indonesia. The ideas concerned the mention of the UN sustainable development … [Read more...]

Ambassador Ngo Quang Xuan Vietnam joined the UN in 1977, promoting an external policy of multi-lateralization and diversification. Vietnam has contributed to, and received much assistance from the UN. Its prestige in the international arena has grown. Vietnam’s improved prestige Joining the UN, Vietnam hoped to break blockades and sanctions, and protect its interests, develop a peaceful and secure environment, and mobilize resources for national socio-economic development. Vietnam has proactively participated in UN activities on the principles of independence, self-reliance, defending national interests, and respecting the legitimate interests of other members. Pursuing a multilateral external policy, Vietnam has normalized its relations with the US, joined ASEAN, signed an economic framework agreement with the EU, … [Read more...]

Minister of Public Security To Lam takes a group photo with other delegates at the conference (Source:cand.com.vn) Singapore (VNA) - Ministers and senior officials from all the 10 ASEAN member states gathered at the second ASEAN Ministerial Conference on Cybersecurity (AMCC) in Singapore on September 18 to seek measures against cyber attacks. The event was also attended by ministers and senior officials from five dialogue partners of ASEAN, namely the US, Australia, Japan, New Zealand, and China. The Vietnamese delegation to the conference was led by Minister of Public Security To Lam. Addressing the opening ceremony, Singaporean Minister of Information and Communication Yaacob Ibrahim highlighted the increasingly complex cyber threats. Cyber threats affect every facet of social lives, especially in the digital era, he said, adding that cyber attacks have also … [Read more...]

Swimmer Vi Thi Hang broke ASEAN Para Games record in the women’s 100m Freestyle event on September 18. (Photo: qdnd.vn) Hanoi (VNA) – Swimmer Vi Thi Hang broke ASEAN Para Games record in the women’s 100m Freestyle event on September 18, winning the first gold medal for Vietnam at this year’s games. She clocked at 1’23’’99 for athletes with physical disability category of S7. Lao and Thai swimmers finished at the second and third places, respectively. This is the first gold of Vi Thi Hang, from the Central Highlands of Dak Nong, after three ASEAN Para Games. On the same day, Vietnamese swimmers earned three more golds at the men’s events, including one for Vo Huynh Anh Khoa at the S9’s 100m Freestyle event, one for Ha Van Hiep at the SB3’s 50m Breaststroke event and the last for Nguyen Thanh Trung at … [Read more...]

A flower street in the Philippines. Further cooperation in tourism was promoted at the (BIMP-EAGA) Summit recently held in Nanning, the capital of Southwest China’s Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region.  (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – Opportunities for the East ASEAN Growth Area were discussed at the Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) Summit recently held in Nanning, the capital of Southwest China’s Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region. The event, drawing 200 representatives from China, Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines, was held as part of the 14th China-ASEAN Business and Investment Summit. The EAGA was launched in 1994 as a cooperation initiative by the four BIMP-EAGA nations: Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines to accelerate economic development in areas far from their national capitals through economic … [Read more...]

Toronto (VNA) – “Vietnam has moved well beyond the devastation of the war years and is a ready and willing partner for Canada”, wrote Stewart Beck, President and CEO of the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada in a recent article for Canada-based The Globe and Mail. Beck was in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam last week for the 24th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Small and Medium Enterprises Ministerial Meeting.   [APEC ministers vow to foster SME development] “The memory of the Vietnam War is still vivid in the minds of many from my generation”, he opened the article. After the war, Canada accepted about 60,000 Vietnamese refugees from 1979 – 1980, established an embassy in Hanoi in 1994 and a consulate-general in HCM City in 1997, the article said. Since then, Vietnam has become Canada’s 11th largest source of international … [Read more...]