The 16th ASEAN Defense Ministers' Meeting (ADMM-16) was held in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, on June 22. (Photo: VNA)
Phnom Penh (VNA) – The 16th ASEAN Defense Ministers' Meeting (ADMM-16) was held in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, on June 22, during which a joint declaration was adopted.
In the declaration on solidarity for harmonious security, the ministers reiterated that the observance of principles and basic targets set in the ASEAN Charter and the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC) aims to enhance the grouping’s centrality and solidarity, and maintain regional order.
The document also highlights the significance of maintaining and promoting a favourable environment for the early completion of an effective and substantive Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC) in line with international law, as well as fully and effectively implementing the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC).
The ministers approved new initiatives within the ADMM regarding cooperation between ASEAN defence forces in controlling cross-border diseases, support to female officers joining peacekeeping operations, the establishment of cooperative ties between defence academies, and cyber security, among others.
In his remarks, Vietnamese Defence Minister Phan Van Giang affirmed Vietnam’s support for Cambodia’s ASEAN Chairmanship, and the Cambodian defence ministry’s organisation of ADMM, ADMM+ and other relevant activities.
The same day, Giang and other delegation heads paid a courtesy visit to Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen./.
The ASEAN Secretariat, in collaboration with the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA), have held the Multi-Stakeholder Policy Dialogue on Empowering ASEAN For Circular Economy online.
Senior officials of ASEAN member countries and Canada sought ways to further foster their partnership at the 19th ASEAN - Canada Dialogue at the SOM head level which was held virtually on June 21.
The 16th ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting (ADMM) kicked off on June 22 in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, under the chair of Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Tea Banh.
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.
The 16th ASEAN Defense Ministers' Meeting (ADMM-16) was held in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, on June 22. (Photo: VNA) 
