World

Australia helps with South East Asian flood crisis

Australian Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd has announced an assistance package worth up to 5.15 million AUD to help flood victims in Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos and the Philippines.
Australian Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd has announced an assistancepackage worth up to 5.15 million AUD to help flood victims in Thailand,Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos and the Philippines.

FM Kevin Rudd said in a statement on October 18 that Australia wouldprovide blankets, mosquito nets, hygiene kits, water containers, kitchensets, sandbags and health services to the eight million people indesperate need across the Mekong and the Philippines. The Australiancontribution will also help repair damaged agricultural land andirrigation systems.

"Australia stands ready with theinternational community to provide further support to our friends andneighbours if needed", he said.
]
According to the FM,Australian support will be directed through partner organisations with atrack record in providing disaster response and recovery services inthe most affected areas and to the most vulnerable people./.
Follow VietnamPlus

See more

Prime Minister Le Minh Hung delivers remarks at the opening session of the third ASEAN Future Forum. (Photo: VNA)

ASEAN Future Forum 2026 opens in Hanoi

In his welcoming remarks, Foreign Minister Le Hoai Trung said Vietnam established the forum with the aim of creating an open, substantive and forward-looking space for dialogue among ASEAN member states and international partners.

A post on the official Facebook page of the Lao Economic Daily (Photo: screenshot)

Lao media highlight deepening Vietnam–Laos cooperation

According to the reports, the Lao and Vietnamese Prime Ministers held talks on June 7, during which they briefed each other on their respective internal situations and expressed satisfaction with the socio-economic achievements recorded by the two sides. They highly valued the continued development of bilateral ties, particularly the strong political trust maintained through regular exchanges of meetings at all levels.

Fishing boats in Vietnam's Ninh Thuan province. (Illustrative photo: VNA)

ASEAN, Norway promote cooperation in sustainable blue economy development

The Norway–ASEAN cooperation project on blue economy development is seen as a first step toward building a regional cooperation platform to raise ASEAN member states’ awareness of the current state of aquaculture and fisheries development, identify policy gaps, and promote collaboration in the sustainable blue economy.

WB plans over 3 bln USD in financing for Philippines

WB plans over 3 bln USD in financing for Philippines

The multilateral lender is also considering structural reform initiatives as well as projects that could help the Government respond to the economic fallout from the Middle East conflict, particularly among vulnerable sectors.

Houses are damaged after the earthquake in General Santos city, Philippines on June 8. (Photo: Xinhua/VNA)

Death toll from Philippines earthquake rises, tsunami reaches Indonesia, Japan

In the hard-hit port city of General Santos, disaster management officials confirmed seven deaths after several buildings collapsed and key infrastructure was damaged. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology warned residents to exercise caution before returning to damaged buildings due to the risk of aftershocks.

Several shops were damaged following the earthquake in General Santos City, the Philippines, on June 8, 2026. (Photo: Xinhua/VNA)

At least 12 killed, hundreds injured in Philippines earthquake

The port city of General Santos suffered the heaviest damage, with disaster management officials confirming seven fatalities and about 130 injuries after several small buildings collapsed and multiple structures, including a key bridge, sustained severe cracks. The remaining five deaths were recorded in South Cotabato, Davao Occidental and Balut Island.

Laos intensifies business environment reforms

The latest Provincial Facilitation for Investment and Trade Index report indicates that since 2018, the public sector has clearly defined timelines for document approval, reducing the time required to establish a business to just 17 days, including 10 days for the issuance of a business registration certificate, five days for seal engraving, and two days for social insurance registration.

Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim attends the National TVET Day 2026 celebration at Dataran Putrajaya today. (Photo: Bernama)

Malaysia strengthens vocational training in technology and energy sectors

Malaysia is ramping up technical and vocational education and training (TVET) as a cornerstone of its economic transformation and talent development strategy, preparing its workforce for emerging fields such as artificial intelligence (AI), cryptocurrency technology and the global energy transition.

Indonesia eyes trade breakthrough with EAEU via FTA

Indonesia eyes trade breakthrough with EAEU via FTA

Indonesia seeks to develop relations with all countries and sees itself as a bridge between different regions of the world. Against a backdrop of growing geopolitical and global economic uncertainty, strengthening international cooperation and building reliable supply chains have become more important than ever.

Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul (R) at Nation TV’s 26th anniversary event on June 4, 2026. (Photo: nationthailand.com)

Thailand prioritises OECD accession

Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul the country’s bid to join the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, or OECD, is central to the government’s economic agenda.

ASEAN aims to become global digital economy hub

ASEAN aims to become global digital economy hub

Studies indicate that the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA) could help raise ASEAN’s digital economy value to 2 trillion USD by 2030 while transforming the region into a connected, comprehensive and sustainable digital economy hub on the global stage.