The 5th ASEAN Media Forum held virtually by the ASEAN Secretariat on August 13 continued to highlight the bloc's goals, achievements and challenges to the region’s top media editors and influencers.
Jakarta (VNA) - The 5th ASEAN Media Forum held virtually by the ASEAN Secretariat on August 13 continued to highlight the bloc's goals, achievements and challenges to the region’s top media editors and influencers.
In his remarks, Secretary-General of ASEAN Dato Lim Jock Hoi underlined ASEAN’s priority and plan in enhancing efforts in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic to safeguard the lives and livelihoods of ASEAN people.
He emphasised that while media has become an integral part in the advancement of societies, reliable channels of communications that inform, educate and empower people are increasingly essential.
“ASEAN would also benefit from your insights being the voice of integrity and the bridge between our vast and diverse communities to secure a sustainable and resilient future,” he said.
During the opening session, participating ASEAN senior editors shared their experiences regarding restrictions they faced in their reporting job due to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. It was followed by a panel discussion on “The importance of multilateralism in a diverse ASEAN.”
The highlight of the forum was an exclusive conversation where media leaders had the opportunity to hear insights from and exchanged views with the Secretary-General of ASEAN and former Foreign Minister of Indonesia Marty Natalegawa.
The conversation evolved around ASEAN’s balancing acts between major powers in the region. It was stressed that ASEAN should continue to enhance its convening power as well as its thought leadership to manifest its centrality. Further, it is critical for ASEAN to uphold and promote its principle of resolving disputes through peaceful settlement./.
ASEAN Secretary-General Dato Lim Jock Hoi has expressed his optimism over the likelihood that the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) between 10 ASEAN member countries and six partners will be finalised by the end of the year.
Despite difficulties and challenges in 2020, ASEAN cooperation has obtained upbeat outcomes this year, forming a strong foundation for the bloc’s development in the next stage, stated Deputy Foreign Minister and head of SOM ASEAN Vietnam Nguyen Quoc Dung on November 24.
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.
At the event (Source: asean.org) 
