Brussels (VNA) – The European Union (EU) on November 18launched a Green Team Europe Initiative in partnershipwith the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
The initiative was launched by Commissioner for InternationalPartnerships Jutta Urpilainen during the3rd ASEAN-EU Dialogue on Sustainable Development.
The initiative, backed by a 30-million EUR grant from the EUbudget, is hoped to strengthen the EU-ASEAN partnership in areasincluding climate action, environmental and biodiversity protection, cleanenergy transition, disaster resilience, prevention of illegal logging, wildlifetrafficking and air pollution.
This initiative provides the framework for coordinated greenaction between participating Team Europe partners (Austria, Denmark, France,Germany and Romania, as well as the European Investment Bank) and ASEAN member nations,seeking synergies between their respective political frameworks, especially theEuropean Green Deal and the ASEAN Community Vision 2025.
The Initiative will b🐭e implemented both at national and regioꦑnal levels in theASEAN region./.
Vietnam treasures and will make positive contributions to the ASEAN-EU strategic partnership, Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Quoc Dung, head of SOM ASEAN Vietnam, said at the annual ASEAN-EU Senior Officials’ Meeting (SOM) that was held online on July 8.
The European Union’s Support to Higher Education in ASEAN Region (SHARE) Programme has recently held its 12th Policy Dialogue Webinar Series with the main theme “Creating a Resilient and Sustainable ASEAN Higher Education Space”.
Vietnamese Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son on August 6 took part in the virtual ASEAN-EU Foreign Ministers' Meeting as part of the 54th ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting and related meetings.
The Secretariat of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in collaboration with the Delegation of the European Union (EU) to ASEAN are organising virtually the 4th ASEAN-EU Cooperation and Scholarship Day on August 12-13.
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is set to resume free trade agreement (FTA) talks with the European Union after negotiations were suspended since 2009, the Bangkok Post reported.
Talking to the Vietnam News Agency on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the Vietnam’s Revolutionary Press Day (June 21, 1925–2025), Nikulina, who is also a veteran journalist of Russia’s Sputnik News, emphasised the vital role of mainstream journalism in defending the truth and maintaining public trust.
The Ministry of Commerce reported that imports also rose 18% to 29.9 billion USD during the same period, resulting in a trade surplus of 1.1 billion USD. In May alone, Thailand posted a 4.6 billion USD trade surplus with the US and a 4.1 billion USD trade deficit with China.
The World Bank will provide a 2.1 billion USD financing package for Indonesia, focusing oncreating jobs, stimulating economic growth, and enhancing access to clean energy across the country.
Member states also reviewed progress on six priority areas for 2025, including the development of an underground cable framework, the follow-up agreement to the ASEAN Petroleum Security Agreement (APSA), the launch of the ASEAN Energy Efficiency Database, and the rollout of an investment platform for sustainable building initiatives.
In March, Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra met with Formula 1 chief Stefano Domenicali and said Thailand would commission a feasibility study into hosting a Grand Prix on a Bangkok street circuit from 2028.
The proposed giant sea wall aligns with bilateral cooperation and has been designated a national priority, considering that several regions in Indonesia are experiencing land subsidence of 10–15 centimetres per year.
International flights were cancelled including Jetstar and Virgin Australia flights to cities across Australia, and flights of Air India, Air New Zealand, Singapore's TigerAir and China's Juneyao Airlines.
The partnership aims to strengthen collaboration in the exploration and exploitation of mineral resources, including gold, copper, and manganese, as well as in the development of steel, aluminum, and renewable energy industries.
The Thai cabinet has approved a seven-year EV bus leasing scheme proposed by the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) for the capital, with an estimated cost of 15.35 billion THB (over 470 million USD).
Aircraft are prohibited from flying below 6,000 metres in the vicinity of the volcano, and should also remain alert to the presence of volcanic ash, which can disrupt flights.
Laos declared the transfer of the press management functions of five key media agencies and associated personnel to the Propaganda and Training Board of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party Central Committee.
Univers said in a statement that the new centre will serve as a hub for innovation, bringing together digital intelligence and climate ambition to accelerate Sarawak's transition toward a low-carbon, tech-enabled economy.
The target is to be completely free from plastic waste within two years. This can only be achieved if all parties implement the initiative with strong discipline.
Indonesia is taking new steps to improve protections for fishery workers, amid concerns over low wages, harsh working conditions, and limited access to social welfare.
The 2025 ASEAN- the Republic of Korea (RoK) Connectivity Forum that opened in Jakarta on June 17 reaffirmed a shared commitment to shaping a connected, resilient future by advancing the ASEAN Connectivity Strategic Plan.
The desk will serve as a service centre providing market intelligence, business licensing guidance, facilitating business cooperation, identifying potential investment projects, and harmonising regulatory policies between the two parties.
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim noted that the Asia-Pacific region accounted for half of global energy consumption and 60% of greenhouse gas emissions in 2024. Despite this, regional countries, including eight of ten ASEAN member states, remain committed to climate goals, including net-zero emissions and tripling global renewable capacity by 2030.
Illustrative image (Photo: aseanbriefing.com) 
