ASEAN Social-Cultural Community Council convenes 23rd meeting
A virtual 23rd meeting of the ASEAN Social-Cultural Community (ASCC) Council took place in Hanoi on June 23, with the ten ministers in charge of ASCC, the ASEAN Secretary General, delegates from member countries, and the ASEAN Secretariat taking part.
Hanoi (VNA) - A virtual 23rd meeting of the ASEANSocial-Cultural Community (ASCC) Council took place in Hanoi on June 23, with the ten ministersin charge of ASCC, the ASEAN Secretary General, delegates from member countries,and the ASEAN Secretariat taking part.
It was the firstperiodic meeting hosted by the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairsin its capacity as ASCC Chair 2020.
Chairing theevent, Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs Dao Ngoc Dung, who isalso Vice Chairman of the National ASEAN 2020 Committee and ASCC Chair 2020,said it is the first time in the history of the bloc that ASEAN seniorofficials’ meetings and summits have been held online, due to COVID-19. This requiresgovernments cope with different contingencies to protect lives, stabilise economies,and ensure social welfare, he said.
Towards thetheme “Cohesive and Responsive ASEAN”, he said Vietnam has suggested initiatives andpriorities regarding human resources, social welfare, and communications to further promote the community's efforts towards the ASEAN Vision 2025.
This is anextremely important time for ASEAN, as its three communities are conductingmid-term reviews on the implementation of the Master Plan on ASEAN Vision 2025.All ASEAN specialised agencies are also reviewing the 2016-2020 Work Plan andbuilding the 2021-2025 Plan of Action.
Amid COVID-19, ASEAN leaders and specialised agencies on healthcare, human resources, social welfare, development, and education held symposiums to shareexperiences and enhance cooperation in dealing with the harmful effects of thepandemic.
With 15 specialised agencies covering various fields, Minister Dung said the ASCC mustcoordinate efforts to ensure socio-economic development.
Participant𒀰sshared their opinions on priorities and cooperation during the period of reco𒈔veryfrom COVID-19, to set orientations for the ASEAN Community’s activities thisyear and the next five years, towards a cohesive ASEAN Community that is beneficialfor all./.
The Ministry of Labour, Invalids, and Social Affairs held a conference in Ho Chi Minh City on May 31 to review the implementation of Project 161 on realising goals laid out by the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC) until 2025 and its activities in the south.
The ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC) serves as a solid foundation to promote connectivity within the bloc in the most natural way, said Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs Dao Ngoc Dung on January 7.
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 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 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 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.
At the meeting (Photo: VNA) 
