ASEAN Regional Forum to welcome US – DPRK peace talks

Ministers attending the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) in Bangkok in August will welcome recent talks between leaders of the United States and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK).
ASEAN Regional Forum to welcome US – DPRK peace talks ảnh 1US President Donald Trump and DPRK leader Kim Jong Un meet at their summit held in Hanoi in February. (Photo: VNA)

Hanoi(VNA)
– Ministers attending the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) in Bangkok, Thailand in August will welcome recent talks betweenleaders of the United States and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK).

They will call for dialogue among concern countries to realise the denuclearisation on the Korean Peninsula.

The ARF, to beheld in the Thai capital on August 2, gathers 27 foreign ministers, including those of the US, China, DPRK,the Republic of Korea, Russia and Japan, to discuss security issues.

The draftchairman’s statement seen by Japan-based Kyodo News welcomes initiativesand efforts made by the RoK, the USand China to promote dialogue with the DPRK.

"We urgedall concerned parties to resume peaceful dialogue and continue working towardthe realisation of lasting peace and stability in a denuclearised KoreanPeninsula, including through the full and expeditious implementation of thePanmunjeom Declaration, the Pyongyang Joint Declaration and the Joint Statementby the US and DPRK leaders," it said.

At their summit on April 27 lastyear, DPRK leader Kim Jong-un and RoK President Moon Jae In issued thePanmunjeom Declaration calling for denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula andefforts to formally end the 1950-1953 Korean War.

In their summit last September, the two leaders signedthe Pyongyang Joint Declaration, in which Kim pledged to Moon that the DPRK will permanently dismantle its majornuclear complex if the US takes corresponding actions.

The ARF comprises the 10 ASEANstates, China, Japan, the United States, Russia, DPRK, the RoK, India,Pakistan, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, the European Union, Papua New Guinea,Bangladesh, East Timor, Mongolia and Sri Lanka.–VNA
VNA

See more

Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong (R) welcomes Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul (Photo: thestar.com)

Thailand, Singapore enhance bilateral collaboration

The Thai and Singaporean PMs witnessed the signing of several memoranda of understanding (MoUs), notably an MoU on rice trade cooperation between the two governments, under which Thailand agreed to sell Singapore up to 100,000 tonnes of rice annually.

Indonesia to add 30 urban trains in Jakarta

Indonesia to add 30 urban trains in Jakarta

The addition of new trains is expected to help Indonesia ease traffic congestion, improve the quality of public transport services, and promote sustainable socio-economic development in Indonesia’s most densely populated urban area.

Illustrative image (Photo: Antara)

Indonesia to end diesel imports by 2026

Indonesian Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Bahlil Lahadalia has reported to President Prabowo Subianto that Indonesia is on track to stop importing diesel fuel by early 2026, marking a major milestone in national energy independence.

Director General of the Metal, Machinery, Transportation Equipment, and Electronics (ILMATE) Industry at the Ministry of Industry Setia Diarta during the Opening of GIIAS Makassar on November 5. (Photo: ANTARA)

Indonesia to downstream EV batteries in two years

Indonesia is projecting the downstreaming of electric vehicle (EV) batteries for motorcycles and cars within the next two years, according to Director General of the Metal, Machinery, Transportation Equipment, and Electronics (ILMATE) Industry at the Ministry of Industry Setia Diarta.

At the launch of the programme. (Photo: nationthailand.com)

Thailand launches programme to reduce healthcare costs for citizens

Under the new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), private hospitals in Thailand must provide complete and accurate prescriptions listing drug names and usage details. This transparency allows patients to choose whether to buy their medicines directly from the hospital or from registered pharmacies outside.

Illustrative photo (Photo: bangkokpost.com)

Thailand delivers tepid rice export forecasts for 2026

Thailand maintains its export target for next year at 7.5 million tonnes, including 3.5 million tonnes of white rice, 1.7 million tonnes of hom mali rice, 1.4 million tonnes of parboiled rice, 600,000 tonnes of Thai fragrant rice and 300,000 tonnes of sticky rice.

ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn (Photo: Bernama)

ASEAN Secretary-General: Higher education will shape the region’s future

The ASEAN chief revealed that the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC) Strategic Plan designates education as a driver for equity and sustainable development. Its agenda calls for enhancing access to quality education, promoting lifelong learning, and integrating green skills into curricula. In short, academic purpose serves societal and community purpose.

Thailand aims for 129 gold medals at 33rd SEA Games

Thailand aims for 129 gold medals at 33rd SEA Games

At the 32nd SEA Games held in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, from May 5–17, 2023, Thailand ranked second overall with 108 gold, 96 silver, and 108 bronze medals. Vietnam topped the standings with 136 gold, 105 silver, and 114 bronze medals.