World

ASEAN

Laos, Japan cooperate on cleaner energy

The Japanese government has agreed to help Laos expand solar energy and preserve forests following recent agreements signed between the Lao Ministry of Planning and Investment and JICA.
The Japanese government has agreed tohelp Laos expand solar energy and preserve forests following recentagreements signed between the Lao Ministry of Planning and Investmentand the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

Under the agreements inked in Vientiane on March 9, a project worthabout 5.35 million USD will cover installation of solar power systemsat the Prime Minister's Office and also at Wattay International Airport.

The project also aims to increase public awareness of the importance ofalternative energy sources such as solar power to mitigate the effectsof climate change.

Meanwhile, a forest information management project will includeconstruction of a new information centre, and the provision ofequipment for image analysis and technical systems.

The 5.3 million USD project aims to create maps of forest resources nationwide and will run for three years.

Japan pledged to provide more than 30 million USD in aid to helpLaos in preserving forests, developing energy, and fighting climatechange for environmental protection during a visit to the north-easternAsian country by President Choummaly Sayasone early this month./.
Follow VietnamPlus

See more

Delegates pose for a group photo at the workshop (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam voices concerns over future of traditional media at ASEAN workshop

In his speech, Long outlined challenges related to policy, human resources, technological gaps and platforms, economic factors, and new issues arising from AI. He also introduced the VNA's solutions to address the challenges of digital transformation and shared VietnamPlus' experience in adapting to the digital environment.

An overview of the 29th ASEAN Labour Ministers Meeting (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam reaffirms commitment to building resilient, inclusive and integrated ASEAN Labour Market

To this end, Vietnam proposed three strategic priorities for ASEAN cooperation. First, ASEAN should expand and harmonise mutual recognition mechanisms by increasing the scope and number of Mutual Recognition Arrangements (MRAs) in the region; and promote the role of the ASEAN TVET Council (ATC) in connecting national skills certification systems with regional and global standards, based on national occupational skills qualification frameworks and regional references.

British Ambassador to Vietnam Iain Frew (Photo: VNA)

UK-Vietnam cooperation deepens ASEAN-UK partnership trust: ambassador

The UK is accelerating investment in clean power across Southeast Asia. The country is working closely together through its co-leadership of the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) to support Vietnam’s ambition to expand renewable energy, unlock investment in offshore wind, and build a cleaner, more resilient energy system for the future.

A discussion at the forum "Vietnam-ASEAN in Global Value Chains: From Signal to Action". (Photo: VNA)

Vietnamese firms urged to strengthen capacity as ASEAN pushes deeper digital integration

Vietnamese businesses have established leading positions in some supply chains, including seafood, wood processing, cashew and coffee processing. However, in manufacturing and electronics, many firms remain concentrated in assembly and the supply of simple components. Data transparency, traceability and effective supply-chain management are key to helping leading businesses maintain their positions.

Deputy Director Vu Thi Tu Anh of the Department of Vocational and Continuing Education under the Ministry of Education and Training speaks during the workshop’s discussion session. (Photo: IOM Vietnam)

Vietnam advances qualifications referencing to support labour mobility in ASEAN

On August 21, the International Organization for Migration (IOM), in cooperation with the Department of Vocational and Continuing Education under the Ministry of Education and Training, held a national workshop in Hanoi to discuss the implementation of the AQRF and introduce Vietnam's AQRF Referencing Report and post-referencing action plan.

A men’s volleyball match between the Vietnam People’s Army team and the Myanmar Army team (Photo: VNA)

ASEAN Armies' Open Volleyball Tournament 2026 kicks off in Hanoi

Taking place until August 26, the tournament features six teams divided into two groups. Group A comprises the army teams of Vietnam, Myanmar and Cambodia, while Group B includes Ho Chi Minh City's police team, the Lao People’s Army's team and the Singapore Armed Forces' team.

Vietnamese Ambassador Duong Hoai Nam (second, left) and ASEAN ambassadors pose for a group photo in Prague, the Czech Republic. (Photo: VNA)

ASEAN marks 59th anniversary in Czech Republic

After nearly six decades of development, ASEAN has become one of the world's important regional organisations, playing an increasingly significant role in promoting peace, stability and cooperation in Southeast Asia and the broader regional architecture.

The RoK's Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok speaks at a trilateral meeting with his Japanese and Chinese counterparts in Georgia. (Photo: Yonhap)

ASEAN+3 to create new financing facility against regional crises

The Republic of Korea (RoK), China and Japan agreed on May 3 to reinforce the regional financial safety net, along with members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), by launching a new financing facility programme meant to extend greater support in case of a financial crisis.