The initiative aims to bring together policymakers, financial institutions, payment networks and technology providers to advance the use of digital money in cross-border financial activities.
TAT will focus on families and shopping in Vietnam, while its Malaysian campaign will emphasise food, shopping and travel to secondary cities.
Culture helps us recognise one another. People-to-people diplomacy brings us closer, while connections between people help strengthen the resilience of the ASEAN Community.
As part of its commitment to regional development, Cambodia is preparing to host several major events, including the 2028 ASEAN University Games, the 2029 Asian Youth Para Games and the 2031 ASEAN Youth Games.
ASEAN called on countries to continue providing scientific data, strengthening international cooperation and participating widely in global surveys, including those on medical exposure.
Expanded metro networks could encourage a shift towards public transport and transit-oriented development, with residential, commercial and service hubs emerging around stations. Meanwhile, the combined connectivity of Long Thanh and Tan Son Nhat airports could strengthen the city’s role as a regional aviation, financial and logistics centre.
Economic experts say that together with available cleared land, an abundant workforce and ongoing infrastructure and logistics projects, streamlined and faster administrative procedures will make the province more attractive to foreign investors.
The goal of Norwegian companies is not only to seek business cooperation opportunities, but also to accompany Vietnam in developing a safe, efficient and sustainable offshore wind industry.
This high-tech initiative marks an important step towards simplifying administrative procedures and immigration formalities, while promoting digital cooperation within ASEAN.
One of the key items on the meeting’s agenda was an ASEAN declaration on protecting children from online sexual abuse and exploitation, which addressed risks associated with artificial intelligence (AI)-generated content.
For Vietnam, execution means turning export strength into greater domestic value added before tariff barriers or price volatility undermine growth, said Shan Saeed, global chief economist at Malaysian proptech group IQI Juwai.
Facing challenges from climate change, biodiversity loss, rising food demand, and price fluctuations, ASEAN is actively implementing its Vision for Food, Agriculture and Forestry towards 2045 and the relevant 2026–2030 action plan to build food systems that are sustainable, inclusive and resilient, said Ambassador Do Hung Viet.
Vietnam added a distinctive touch to the event with a Dong Ho-inspired ao dai presentation, combining the elegance of the traditional Vietnamese long dress with motifs rooted in the country’s folk culture. The Vietnamese booth also displayed silk products and traditional handicrafts, helping promote the refined and diverse beauty of Vietnamese culture to international friends.
Associate Professor Ha Thi Thanh Huong graduated with top grade in biotechnology from the University of Science under Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City.
For Timor-Leste, joining the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement will require improvements in institutional capacity, digital infrastructure and public digital skills, while offering domestic businesses opportunities to access broader markets. The move also represents a concrete step towards translating the country's ASEAN membership into tangible economic benefits.
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. expects Singapore to take the lead in implementing the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA) when it assumes the ASEAN chairmanship in 2027.
Malaysia also looked forward to Egypt's support for ASEAN in exploring cooperation with the African Union (AU), as the regional grouping continued to expand its relations with other regions to strengthen resilience.
India and ASEAN signed AITIGA in 2009 to promote trade liberalisation and expand economic ties. However, changes in trade patterns, supply chains and the global economic environment have created a need to update the agreement to reflect current conditions.
The Deputy PM welcomed Pasqal, a French company specialising in neutral-atom quantum computing, for exploring cooperation with Vietnam. He also recognised Vietnamese technology group FPT’s pioneering investment in quantum technology and artificial intelligence research and training.
Philippine Ambassador to India Josel Ignacio said the bazaar introduced ASEAN countries’ cultures and cuisine to Indian and international visitors, noting that culture and food form an effective way to bring people closer together.
The forum offers a venue for participants to share experience in handling cross-border criminal cases and civil and commercial disputes, as well as to explore ways for more effective cooperation in line with national laws and international treaties.
Making effective use of ASEAN cooperation agenda and mechanisms would provide practical support for national, sectoral and local development plans. The growth of each locality and firm also sets the stage for Vietnam to joining and contributing more to ASEAN.
Singapore is an important economic partner of the Philippines, with two-way trade reaching 9.27 billion USD in 2025. Singapore was also the Philippines’ second-largest source of remittances, at about 2.1 billion USD.
Most economies in the region continue to have sound external positions and adequate foreign exchange reserves. The banking system remains well-capitalised, liquid and profitable, while corporate and household debt-to-GDP ratios have generally declined. Public debt-to-GDP ratios have also broadly stabilised.
ASEAN will continue to work closely with the UN under the ASEAN–UN Plan of Action for 2026–2030, helping translate commitments to social development into concrete and sustainable outcomes and bring tangible improvements to people's lives, particularly those of vulnerable groups, Ambassador Do Hung Viet affirmed.
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’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.
The potential of intra-ASEAN trade remained largely untapped. The bloc’s 11 countries have total trade of 4.37 trillion USD, while intra-ASEAN trade reaches only around 800-900 billion USD.
