World

ASEAN ministers meet in Phnom Penh

The ministers in charge of culture and social welfare of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) gathered in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, on October 25 for the 8th ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community Council Meeting.
The ministers in chargeof culture and social welfare of the Association of Southeast AsianNations (ASEAN) gathered in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, on October 25for the 8th ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community Council Meeting.

Presided over by Cambodia ’s President Hun Sen, the meeting focusedon major issues involving culture, environment, education, naturaldisasters, women and children, public health and social welfare.

The meeting aims to step up cooperation between member countries to enable an ASEAN Community to be formed by 2015.

Every country is expected to work together closely and support each other in the future to ensure peace, stability and prosperity across the region.

According to Hun Sen, the future ASEAN socio-cultural community will draw up plans on key areas such asnarrowing development gaps, developing human resources, ensuring socialwelfare and social justice, creating an ASEAN identity and ensuring theenvironment is protected sustainably.

Originally founded in 1967, ASEAN includes Brunei, Cambodia,Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.-VNA
Follow VietnamPlus

See more

Indonesian Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises Minister Maman Abdurrahman speaks during the signing of financing agreements related to the People's Business Credit (KUR) at his office last week. (Photo: Antara)

Indonesia plans task force to combat sale of counterfeit goods

The minister said that the report has prompted the Ministry of MSMEs to move toward the formation of a task force for the protection and empowerment of MSMEs in Indonesia, adding that the planned task force would be empowered to take action against those involved in the distribution and sale of counterfeit goods.

A screenshot of an article on Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba’s official visit to Vietnam published by the Sankei Shimbun. (Photo: VNA)

Japanese public hails PM Ishiba’s visit to Vietnam

Major outlets provided detailed reports on the visit, with particular emphasis on the two PMs’ shared commitment to upholding the international order and promoting a free, open, inclusive, and rules-based trading system.

Singapore negotiates for US concessions on pharmaceuticals, chips (Photo: Reuters)

Singapore negotiates for US concessions on pharmaceuticals, chips

Singapore is subject to a 10% tariff from the US. The country has previously warned of instability in its trade-dependent economy, along with heightened risks of recession and job losses. Singapore has lowered its 2025 GDP growth forecast to between 0% and 2%, following a 0.8% quarter-on-quarter contraction in the first quarter.

Bulusan is one of 24 active volcanoes in the Philippines. (Photo: straitstimes.com)

Philippines raises alert level after Mt. Bulusan erupts

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) raised Bulusan’s alert status from 0 to 1 on its five-level scale, signalling low-level volcanic unrest and warning of possible phreatic eruptions.