ASEAN senior officials meet to prepare for AMM Retreat

Senior officials of ASEAN countries met in the first ASEAN Senior Officials’ Meeting (SOM) of 2020 in Nha Trang city of the south central province of Khanh Hoa on January 16.
ASEAN senior officials meet to prepare for AMM Retreat ảnh 1At the meeting (Photo: VNA)
Khanh Hoa (VNA) – Seniorofficials of ASEAN countries met in the first ASEAN Senior Officials’ Meeting (SOM)of 2020 in Nha Trang city of the south central province of Khanh Hoa on January16.

The meeting is presided over by DeputyForeign Minister and head of the ASEAN SOM Vietnam delegation Nguyen Quoc Dung.

The meeting reviewed preparations for theASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Retreat (AMM Retreat) slated for January 16 and 17.The officials also discussed the pace of implementation of ASEAN leaders’ decisionsat the 35th ASEAN Summit in Thailand in 2019, as well as external relations,regional and international issues, among others.

Participants spoke highly of the orientations,priorities and initiatives proposed by Vietnam as Chair of ASEAN in 2020 tocarry out cooperation plans of ASEAN in the year.

They also affirmed to put more efforts intoraising the organisation’s central role and positive image in international forums.

They added that as Vietnam and Indonesiaare both non-permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, ASEANhas more chances to bolster exchanges and cooperation with the UN and otherinternational organisations, thereby positively contributing to peace,stability, security and prosperity of the region and the world.

Speaking at the meeting, Deputy FM Dungpledged that as ASEAN Chair in 2020, Vietnam will spare no efforts for successof the ASEAN Community.

A programme of ASEAN SOM and documentswaiting for approval in the year were introduced on the occasion.

ASEAN Foreign Ministers are scheduled tohold a working session in the evening of January 16./.
VNA

See more

Malaysia calls on ASEAN to jointly tackle haze

Malaysia calls on ASEAN to jointly tackle haze

Malaysian Minister of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Arthur Joseph Kurup said on October 6 as host of the 28th Sub-Regional Ministerial Steering Committee (MSC) Meeting in 2027, Malaysia would use its chairmanship to translate the ASEAN Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution (AATHP) into concrete action by enhancing data sharing, improving law enforcement and cross-border cooperation.

Singapore proposes boosting the ASEAN power grid. (Illustrative photo: VNA)

Singapore outlines priorities for 2027 ASEAN Chairmanship

Singapore’s Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu said at the recent launch of the Southeast Asia Climate Outlook Survey 2026 that ASEAN should focus on building up its regional power grid, boosting climate finance and increasing its resilience against climate change impacts.

Thailand, Laos push for single inspection plan at border

Thailand, Laos push for single inspection plan at border

Under the proposed model, customs authorities and other relevant agencies from Thailand and Laos, and potentially China, would coordinate inspections at a single location. Goods would undergo customs and other procedures only once instead of separate procedures by each side, significantly reducing the time and costs for businesses.

Thailand deploys AI system to manage agricultural supply

Thailand deploys AI system to manage agricultural supply

The system integrates data on production, prices and local conditions to forecast when and where crops will enter the market and estimate their volumes. It can also identify areas at risk of supply gluts and price pressure, allowing authorities to prepare timely responses.

Philippines faces drought risk nationwide

Philippines faces drought risk nationwide

In its October 2026 to March 2027 outlook, the state science agency indicated that drought could begin as early as October in some areas and persist until the last week of March 2027.

Thailand puts immigration procedures on mobile app

Thailand puts immigration procedures on mobile app

The launch of THIM is a strategic step in the immigration authorities’ comprehensive digital transformation roadmap, Pol Lt Gen Panumas Boonyalug, commissioner of the Immigration Bureau, noted.

The ASEAN Law Enforcement High-level Conference on Cooperation in Combating Criminal Fugitives takes place in Hanoi on September 30. (Photo: VNA)

ASEAN steps up cooperation in fight against criminal fugitives

Participants discussed and agreed on strategic solutions to improve cooperation through ASEAN’s multilateral and bilateral mechanisms. They adopted the conference's joint statement and agreed on a draft joint action plan to strengthen cooperation in combating criminal fugitives.

Ambassador Do Hung Viet, Vietnam’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam calls for dialogue among nuclear-weapon states to reduce nuclear risk

Vietnam calls on nuclear-weapon states to sign and ratify the Protocol to the Treaty on the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone (SEANWFZ). It will continue to make active contributions to international efforts to promote nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation, strengthen multilateralism and international law, and work towards a world free of nuclear weapons.

Singapore boosts business support with “one-stop shop” model

Singapore boosts business support with “one-stop shop” model

With government business support information and services integrated into a single platform, BizSG uses AI to recommend support programmes tailored to each business and guide users step-by-step to the appropriate service or support. The entire Singapore government subsidy system is expected to be gradually integrated by 2027.