World

ASEAN moves to become inclusive, resilient despite COVID-19

ASEAN continues to consolidate itself to become a more inclusive and resilient community in spite of the unprecedented challenges brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, stated Dato Lim Jock Hoi, Secretary-General of ASEAN as he delivered a speech at the 42nd General Assembly of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA-42).
ASEAN moves to become inclusive, resilient despite COVID-19 ảnh 1Dato Lim Jock Hoi, Secretary-General of ASEAN (Source: VNA)
Jakarta (VNA) – ASEAN continues to consolidateitself to become a more inclusive and resilient community in spite of theunprecedented challenges brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, stated Dato LimJock Hoi, Secretary-General of ASEAN as he delivered a speech at the 42ndGeneral Assembly of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA-42).

"A key demonstration of ASEAN’s commitment to build back better is the signing of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership(RCEP) Agreement last year. An open international trade is central to our effort towards sustainable economic growth and once ratified, RCEP will be thelargest regional trade agreement in the world," he noted.

The ASEAN leader urged AIPA Member Parliaments to complete theirrespective ratification process of the deal at the earliest possible time.

He said the theme of this year’s General Assembly, ‘ForgingParliamentary Cooperation in Digital Inclusion towards ASEAN Community 2025’,is highly relevant amid the Fourth Industrial Revolution. The pace of digitaltechnology adoption and the prevalence of digital solutions in the region havepicked up during the pandemic.

This positive trend is expected to carry on into the 'newnormal’, he stated.

According to the Secretary-General, ASEAN is currentlydeveloping the Bandar Seri Begawan Roadmap on Digital Transformation andRecovery to leverage on the ongoing digital transformation happening in theregion. Among others, this would be achieved through strengthening capacitiesand coordination mechanism on digital transformation, cross-border payment interoperability,and greater intellectual property protection.

"Our digital integration agenda will also be further cementedthrough the Consolidated Strategy on the Fourth Industrial Revolution," heaffirmed.

As the region’s lead parliamentary organisation, AIPA hassignificantly contributed to cooperation and development across the threecommunity pillars of ASEAN, he said.

He added that AIPA plays a key role intransposing regional commitments to national laws, expediting the ratificationof ASEAN agreements, aligning domestic laws with regional priorities, as wellas monitoring law implementations across the region./.
VNA
#ASEAN #Dato Lim Jock Hoi #Secretary-General of ASEAN #RCEP #AIPA-42 #trade agreement #COVID-19 #vietnam news agency #vietnamplus ASEAN
Follow VietnamPlus

Related News

Lao NA President puts forth three proposals at AIPA-42

Lao NA President puts forth three proposals at AIPA-42

President of the National Assembly of Laos Saysomphone Phomvihane delivered a speech at the first plenary session of the 42nd General Assembly of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA-42) via a videoconference on August 23.
AIPA-42: Increasing international cooperation to win COVID-19

AIPA-42: Increasing international cooperation to win COVID-19

Given increasing COVID-19 challenges facing the world and the region, heads of delegations to the ongoing 42nd General Assembly of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA-42) highlighted the importance of international cooperation and commended timely measures conducted by governments of regional nations in response to the pandemic.

See more

Illustrative image (Photo: freemalaysiatoday.com)

Malaysia cracks down on e-cigarette

A total of 33 people were arrested while over 1.72 million MYR (400,000 USD) worth of electronic cigarette devices and merchandise were seized in a joint operation carried out simultaneously across seven districts in Malaysia’s Sabah state.

Malaysia seizes over three tonnes of synthetic drugs. (Photo: Malay Mail)

Malaysia seizes over three tonnes of synthetic drugs

Preliminary investigations indicate the syndicate had been operating for several years, using sea routes across the East Sea as its main transport channel. The drugs were allegedly stored in containers at logistics facilities before being distributed to international markets.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) promotes Thai culture and travel experiences at The Gypsy Travel Festival (TGTF) 2026 in Mumbai. (Photo: thailand.prd.go.th)

TAT showcases Thai culture at Mumbai travel festival

The effort was led by the TAT Mumbai Office and the ASEAN, South Asia, and South Pacific Market Division, under the direction of TAT Governor Thapanee Kiatphaibool, with support from Consul-General Donnawit Poolsawat and senior TAT executives. The festival was held last week at Jio World Drive and attracted a large audience from a high-spending travel segment.

Thailand: Bhumjaithai Party forms alliance with Pheu Thai

Thailand: Bhumjaithai Party forms alliance with Pheu Thai

Caretaker Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul emphasised that both parties share confidence in the capacity and experience of their personnel to steer Thailand towards long-term stability and sustainable development, adding that they had agreed to put aside past misunderstandings and differences in the national interest.

Malaysia seizes a record of nearly 20 million USD worth of methamphetamine (Photo: Bernama)

Malaysia busts largest-ever maritime drug trafficking ring

According to the MMEA, the operation took place on February 11 in waters off Pahang state, about 107 nautical miles northeast of Kuantan. Officers inspected the Thailand-flagged oil tanker Kamal Bangkok and discovered 76 sacks of methamphetamine that had been carefully concealed.

Laos moves to promotes sustainable coffee, tea farming

Laos moves to promotes sustainable coffee, tea farming

The coffee sector plays a vital role in Laos' socio-economic development. More than 80 domestic and foreign companies are currently investing in coffee production, processing and export, generating over 100 million USD in annual export value.

Department of National Defence (DND) Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. (left) and Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines, Endo Kazuya (right), during the “ceremonial turnover” of five coastal surveillance radar systems to the country’s defence establishment on February 11. (Photo courtesy of the DND)

Japan hands over coastal surveillance radar to the Philippines

The equipment was provided under Japan’s Official Security Assistance (OSA) framework. The deal was finalised during the November 2023 visit to Manila by then Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio, when the two sides exchanged notes for 600 million JPY (nearly 4 million USD) in OSA funding for the provision of coastal radar systems to the Philippine Navy.

Two Mahakam dolphins (Orcaella brevirostris) are seen swimming. (Photo: ANTARA)

Indonesia takes emergency solutions to save Mahakam dolphins

Based on the latest data as of early February, only 66 of these endemic Mahakam River mammals are estimated to remain in the wild. This situation has prompted Indonesian authorities to take concrete and decisive actions to prevent the species from slipping into extinction.