Hanoi (VNA) - TheASEAN Future Forum 2024 (AFF 2024) wrapped up in Hanoi on April 23 after a dayof productive discuss🌌ions.
In his closing speech, Vietnamese Minister ofForeign Affairs Bui Thanh Son said in-depth discussions at the event have provided regional countries and stakeholders with valuable insights toreflect on and reaffirm the importance of collective efforts in shaping abrighter future for the ASEAN community. The minister expressed optimism about ASEAN'sdevelopment direction, noting that the discussions had attracted a significant number ofpolicymakers and business entities to explore and propose feasible solutions, with someproposing unique approaches to adapting to and addressing regional challenges. According to him, delegates highlighted the ASEAN’spivotal role in further maintaining regional peace and stability.
He concluded by urging ASEAN member states to unite withdetermination in realising the ASEAN Community Vision 2045. This vision, heemphasised, will shape a better future for both current and future generations.
TheAFF 2024, themed “Toward Fast and Sustainable Growth of a People-Centered ASEANCommunity”, was an important initiative proposed by Prime Minister Pham MinhChinh at the 43rd ASEAN Summit last September. It aimed at creatinga common platform for ASEAN member states as well as partner countries and ASEAN people tocontribute to promoting and shaping the bloc’s development path.
With nearly 500 delegates rep𒉰resenting governments, diplomatic corps, businesscommunities, ASEAN, partners and international organisations taking part, theevent featured two plenary and two working lunch sessions./.
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) should have a strategic and comprehensive vision, and improve its resilience capacity to grasp opportunities and handle global headwinds for stable and sustainable development, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh said on April 23.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on April 23 proposed breakthrough orientations to make ASEAN a model in digital transformation globally, while co-chairing a business roundtable with his Lao counterpart Sonexay Siphandone in Hanoi.
The first session of the ASEAN Future Forum 2024 (AFF 2024) in Hanoi on April 23 focused on fast and sustainable growth for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
The ASEAN Future Forum 2024 (AFF 2024) entered its second plenary session in Hanoi on the afternoon of April 23, discussing ways to ensure comprehensive security for the people-centred ASEAN Community.
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.
A technical issue combined with an extreme heatwave was blamed for a series of explosions at a military base that killed 20 soldiers and injured several others in Cambodia on April 27, the country’s Ministry of Defence said in a May 2 statement as reported by the Xinhua news agency.
The Customs Department of Thailand is scheduled to commence the collection of value-added tax (VAT) on imported goods sent via postal services, regardless of the goods value, starting in May.
A lecturer from Chulalongkorn University’s Faculty of Medicine has warned Thais to be more vigilant against COVID-19, saying infection rates appeare to be worsening with higher hospital admissions, deaths and severe cases.
Malaysia should harness the collective expertise and resources to drive sustainable growth and development of the halal industry, according to Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry Zafrul Abdul Aziz.
Laos has officially restored the 10% value-added tax (VAT) rate starting May 1, in a bid to support the country’s budget revenue and socio-economic development.
The Canada-ASEAN Business Council (CABC) and the ASEAN Alliance on Carbon Markets (AACM) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen collaboration and accelerate the implementation of carbon crediting programmes across Southeast Asia.
ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn reaffirmed ASEAN leaders' commitment to empowering the youth to unleash their full potential when he had a dialogue with ASEAN youth in Hanoi on April 22 on the sidelines of the ASEAN Future Forum (AF 2024).
The Thai Government is being urged to increase the proportion of renewable power generation to more than the target of 50% set in the power development plan (PDP).
The Centre for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG) of Indonesia on April 21 lifted its tsunami advisory issued previously following the eruption of Mount Ruang in Sitaro district of North Sulawesi province.
Thailand expects to export about 1 million tonnes of durian, valued at an estimated 130 billion THB (3.53 billion USD) this year, with most of the shipments to China, according to Minister of Agriculture Thammanat Prompao.
The 72nd meeting of the ASEAN Working Group on Intellectual Property Cooperation (AWGIPC) and related meetings are being held by the Ministry of Science and Technology’s Intellectual Property Office (IPO) of Vietnam in the central city of Da Nang on April 22-26.
Enhancing regional food security and tackling the pressing challenges of climate change will be key agendas defining Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship in 2025, Speaker of the Dewan Rakyat (lower house) Johari Abdul told the press on April 19.
ASEAN foreign ministers on April 19 issued a statement calling on all parties to immediately cease violence and exercise maximum restraint in the border areas of Myanmar.
The warming waters of the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea are negatively affecting marine life, leaving dugongs desperate for food, according to Thai scientists.
India's trade deficit with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has more than doubled since the implementation of the ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement (AITIGA) in 2010.
Delegates at the closing ceremony. (Photo: VNA) 
