ASEAN seeks to strengthen food security

The 32nd ASEAN Agro-Forestry Ministers’ Meeting opened in the Cambodian capital city of Phnom Penh on October 23, discussing measures to further strengthen cooperation among ASEAN member nations to ensure intra-bloc food security.
The 32nd ASEAN Agro-Forestry Ministers’ Meeting opened in theCambodian capital city of Phnom Penh on October 23, discussingmeasures to further strengthen cooperation among ASEAN member nations toensure intra-bloc food security.

The host country’s Prime Minister Hun Sen attended and delivered a speech at the opening ceremony of the meeting.

During the four-day event, there will be senior officials’ meetings, aplenary session of ASEAN agro-forestry ministers and a ministerialmeeting between ASEAN and three dialogue partners, including China, theRepublic of Korea and Japan.

The meetings areexpected to further boost regional cooperation and draw out newdirections to accelerate intra-bloc integration and jointly addressingissues relating to agro-forestry.

Speaking at theopening ceremony, PM Hun Sen stated that food security is a sensitiveissue that requires each country’s efforts to seek solutions.

The Cambodian PM applauded regional countries’ efforts to strengthenagricultural cooperation, especially increasing investments ininfrastructure, technological transfer and technical support./.

See more

King Maha Vajiralongkorn (Photo: VNA)

Thai media highlights significance of King Maha Vajiralongkorn’s Vietnam visit

Matichon daily newspaper reported that the visit took place as the two countries celebrate five decades of diplomatic ties, with the aim of further strengthening relations between the two close and friendly neighbours. Its September 15 reports covered the official welcome ceremony at the National Assembly House and the meeting between the Thai King and Queen and General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and President To Lam and his spouse.

Delegates attend the ceremony in Beijing on September 15 marking the fifth anniversary of the ASEAN-China Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and the 35th anniversary of ASEAN-China Dialogue Relations. (Photo: VNA)

ASEAN, China seek more substantive, effective cooperation

Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress Peng Qinghua said China and ASEAN are good neighbours, friends and partners sharing a common future. Since the establishment of dialogue relations in 1991, ties have developed strongly and become one of ASEAN’s most substantive and dynamic dialogue partnerships.

The BRICS Summit in New Delhi, India, on September 12, 2026. (Photo: ANI/VNA)

ASEAN reaffirms role at BRICS Summit

The seat accorded to ASEAN at the 18th BRICS Summit is a statement to the stature, credibility, and convening power of the organisation. It affirms ASEAN’s indispensable role in the wider global economic dialogue, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has affirmed.

A view of Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia (Photo: AFP/VNA)

Malaysia's exports projected to moderate next year

Malaysia's exports in the first seven months of 2026 rose 29.2% year-on-year to 290 billion USD. Total trade increased by 24.7% to nearly 540 billion USD, while the trade surplus more than doubled to 42 billion USD.

At a supermarket in Bangkok, Thailand (Photo: Xinhua/VNA)

Thai economy under pressure from weak purchasing power

The Kasikorn Research Centre anticipates that the Thai economy will slow down in the second half of the year compared to the first half, with the "Thai Chuay Thai Plus" initiative offering some support to consumption in Q3 2026.

Malaysia tightens scrutiny of data centres

Malaysia tightens scrutiny of data centres

The Data Centre Task Force (DCTF) evaluates applications not only based on investment value but also on their requirements for energy, water and connectivity, as well as their potential contributions to Malaysia's long-term economic and digital goals.

Consumers select goods at a supermarket in Kuala Lumpur. (Photo: VNA)

Malaysian consumers tighten non-essential spending

CIMB Securities Sdn Bhd analyst Walter Aw Lik Hsin said shoppers are increasingly seeking cheaper products, convenience and value, while cutting back on clothing, lifestyle goods and other non-essentials.

Cambodian Chamber of Commerce president Kith Meng (right) meets with Malaysian ambassador to Cambodia Shaharuddin Onn on September 14. (Photo: phnompenhpost.com)

Cambodia, Malaysia pledge increased trade, investment cooperation

The General Department of Customs and Excise (GDCE) reported that Cambodia-Malaysia trade totaled 1.07 billion USD from January to August 2026, up 55.5% from the same period last year. Cambodia exported 151.76 million USD worth of goods to Malaysia, up 71.8%, while imports reached 921.19 million USD, an increase of 53.1%.

Smoke rises from a land fire in South Sumatra, Indonesia (Photo: Xinhua/VNA)

Indonesia: Thick smoke from forest fires disrupts flights

In a written statement on September 14, the Indonesian Ministry of Forestry said the latest monitoring data shows a significant decrease in so-called “high-confidence” hot spots, strongly suspected to be caused by forest fires, in Central Kalimantan and West Kalimantan.

Thailand upgrades GDP growth to 2.5% in 2026

Thailand upgrades GDP growth to 2.5% in 2026

Thailand's economic recovery will follow a K-shaped model, with growth concentrated in high-tech industries and large companies, according to the Centre for Economic and Business Forecasting at the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC).

A pepresentatives of UXO Lao programme briefs on mine survey and clearance in Luang Prabang province (Photo: VNA)

International delegates inspect UXO clearance efforts in Laos

To realise the Convention on Cluster Munitions’s goals, the Lao Government has incorporated all international targets into its “Safe Path Forward III 2021–2030” national strategy and stayed committed to its national Sustainable Development Goal 18 – “Lives Safe from UXO”.