ASEAN to face numerous challenges due to climate change: report
ASEAN is at risk of losing over 35 percent of its GDP by 2050 from climate change and natural hazards, severely impacting key sectors such as agriculture, tourism, and fishing, along with human health and labour productivity, according to a report jointly conducted by Nanyang Technological University of Singapore (NTU Singapore) and University of Glasgow.
Flooding caused by heavy downpours in Bekasi, West Java, Indonesia. (Photo: AFP/VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) - ASEAN is at risk of losing over 35 percent of its GDPby 2050 from climate change and natural hazards, severely impacting key sectorssuch as agriculture, tourism, and fishing, along with human health and labour productivity,according to a report jointly conducted by Nanyang Technological University ofSingapore (NTU Singapore) and University of Glasgow.
Themed ‘Adaptation and Resilience in ASEAN: ManagingDisaster Risks from Natural Hazards’, the report was delivered at the recent26th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) inGlasgow, pointing out a range of disaster risk reduction strategies andpolicies for ASEAN - a region at risk of multiple natural hazards, which arefurther compounded by climate change.
It stressed that the region will also observe hotter weather, longer monsoonseasons, and increased droughts, as global temperatures are predicted toincrease by 1.5 degree Celsius above preindustrial levels over the next 20years.
By 2050, sea levels are also foreseen to rise by at least 25 centimetrescompared to 2000, and the scientists warned that the greatest effectswould be felt in ASEAN, due to the number of people living in low-lying coastalareas.
The report called for a strong policy push by governments toincrease resilience and focus on preparedness to climate change./.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s attendance at the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26), to be held in Glasgow, the UK, from October 31 to November 3, demonstrates the Vietnamese Government’s determination and efforts in promoting and realising international commitments to climate change response.
Thailand’s Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha will officially announce Thailand's new pledge to achieve carbon neutrality by 2065 when he attends the 26th UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) in the United Kingdom next week, local media reported.
The United Nations-Climate Change Conference COP26 (the 26th Conference of the Parties) is taking place in Glasgow, the United Kingdom, between October 31 and November 12. The UK will be assuming the COP26 Presidency, in partnership with Italy.
Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has called on countries to make strong commitments to reduce greenhouse emissions. He made the call while delivering a keynote speech at the first working day of the Climate Summit, held within the framework of the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) in Glasgow, Scotland (the UK) on November 1 (local time).
Indonesian President Joko Widodo on November 1 highlighted the importance to synchronise policies related to climate change between developed and developing countries.
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.
Flooding caused by heavy downpours in Bekasi, West Java, Indonesia. (Photo: AFP/VNA) 
