Malaysia to host virtual APEC Leaders’ Meeting in November

Malaysia said on October 26 it will host the first ever virtual meeting of leaders from Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) economies in November due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Malaysia to host virtual APEC Leaders’ Meeting in November ảnh 1The AELM will be chaired by Malaysian Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin. Photo: Bernama 

Kuala Lumpur (VNA)
- Malaysia said on October 26 it will host the first ever virtual meetingof leaders from Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) economies in November dueto the COVID-19 pandemic.

In a statement, the International Trade andIndustry Ministry said Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin will chair on November 20 the APEC Economic Leaders'Meeting (AELM), which will see the participation of all 21 APEC economicleaders.

"Malaysia is making history bytransforming APEC's usual ways of doing business and convening a majority ofAPEC meetings in a fully virtual format," it said.

The Southeast Asiannation, which will be hosting APEC for the second time, said the meeting isexpected to launch the region's Post-2020 Vision, the key policy set to replacethe "Bogor Goals" which will reach maturity at the end of the year.

APEC wasestablished in 1989, consisting of 21 member economies in the Asia-Pacificregion with the same purpose of creating greater prosperity for the people inthe region by promoting balanced, inclusive, sustainable, innovative and safegrowth, as well as regional economic integration.

With a total populationof 3 billion, the 21 APEC economies account for about 60 percent of the world'stotal GDP and nearly 50 percent of global trade. APEC is currently promoting tradeand investment liberalisation and facilitation of business, human security, andeconomic and technical cooperation, aiming to achieve sustainable growth andprosperity in the region./.
VNA

See more

Delegates at the event (Photo: kpl.gov.la)

Laos aims for sustainable infrastructure development

Laos' Enabling Environment Roadmap for Infrastructure Asset Management (IAM EE) outlines strategies for the effective management of public infrastructure, including roads, schools, and hospitals, with a focus on resilience, inclusivity, and sustainability.

Strong earthquake strikes eastern Indonesia (Photo: scienceexchange.caltech.edu)

Strong earthquake strikes eastern Indonesia

A 6.0-magnitude earthquake occurred at 5:15 pm, with its epicenter located 93 km northeast of Indonesia's Maluku Barat Daya district and a hypocenter at a depth of 157 km beneath the seabed. No tsunami warning has been issued.

Rescue forces are racing against time to search for victims of the earthquake that hit Myanmar on March 28, 2025. (Photo: Xinhua/VNA)

Myanmar earthquake: Devastation’s full extend is not clear

Myanmar's state media quoted military government leader Senior General Min Aung Hlaing as saying the earthquake death toll had reached 2,065, with more than 3,900 injured and some 270 missing. Aid agencies forecast these numbers will rise significantly due to information blackouts in remote areas.

File - Passengers pass through the automatic immigration checkpoint (auto gate) at Terminal 3 of Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Tangerang, Banten, Indonesia, January 3, 2024. (Photo: ANTARA)

Indonesia operates auto gates at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport

According to Johanes Fanny Satria Cahya Aprianto, head of the airport's immigration office, immigration services are fully prepared for the surge in passengers. Currently the office has deployed 531 personnel to ensure smooth and efficient immigration processing at the airport.

Rescuers on March 30 search for missing people after the earthquake in Mandalay, Myanmar. (Photo: Xinhua/VNA)

WHO seeks urgent funding for Myanmar after devastating earthquake

In its flash appeal for funds, the WHO said the high numbers of casualties and trauma injuries are at high risk of infection due to limited surgical capacity in the country, while the underlying conditions in Myanmar meant the quake is likely to intensify the risk of diseases.

Belgian King Philippe and Queen Mathilde (Photo: AFP/VNA)

Belgian monarchs’ state visit to open new chapter in bilateral cooperation

As a major player in the region and one of the most dynamic economies in Asia, Vietnam is an indispensable partner for Belgium. The meetings with the various Vietnamese authorities will therefore offer an excellent opportunity to further deepen and enrich this diverse partnership, according the Belgian Federal Public Service of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation.

Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sar Sokha. (Photo: khmertimeskh.com)

Cambodia strengthens cross-border crime control

In 2024, Cambodia cracked down 197 cases relating to human trafficking and sexual exploitation, an increase of over 20% compared to the previous year. The authorities identified 523 victims and arrested 273 suspects and sent them to court, including 30 foreigners.