Singapore highlights role in shaping future of global transport
Singapore also launched new training programmes for Small Island Developing States (SIDS), with the first course for Caribbean officials to be held in 2026, and announced an extension of the Singapore-ICAO Developing Countries Training Programme, including 1.8 million USD in scholarships and support over the next three years.
The centre is aimed at helping the region balance economic development and sustainability goals. (Photo: straitstimes.com)
Singapore (VNA) - Singapore has hosted the two-dಌay Global Aviation and Maritime Summit, bringing together top officials from the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), and over 500 delegates from more than 80 countries to discuss the future of transport in a rapidly changing world.
Addressing the opening ceremony on July 13, Acting Transport Minister Jeffrey Siow emphasised global partnerships to enhance safety, sustainability, and smart solutions in both sectors. He reaffirmed Singapore’s long-standing support for ICAO and IMO and stressed the role of multilateral institutions in maintaining a rules-based international order.
Singapore also launched new training programmes for Small Island Developing States (SIDS), with the first course for Caribbean officials to be held in 2026, and announced an extension of the Singapore-ICAO Developing Countries Training Programme, including 1.8 million USD in scholarships and support over the next three years.
Additionally, Singapore pledged 3 million USD to IMO’s enhanced training and technical cooperation from 2026–2028.
The summit featured high-level discussions on transport resilience, inter-sectoral collaboration, and regulatory transformation.
To date, country has trained over 4,200 aviation and maritime professionals under ICAO and IMO-linked programmes./.
Singapore Airlines has ordered 1,000 tonnes of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) from refiner Neste, which is the airlines’s first purchase of low-carbon jet fuel from the Finland-based refinery.
Singapore plans to require all flights departing the country to use sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) from 2026, its Minister of Transport Chee Hong Tat said on February 19.
Garuda Indonesia, the national flag carrier of Indonesia, and Singapore Airlines plan to enter into a joint venture (JV) to increase passenger capacity between the two countries as post-COVID tourism in Southeast Asia ramps up.
The 12th edition of the Safety@Sea Week is taking place from July 15 to 18 in Singapore under the themed ‘The Future of Maritime Safety: Navigating the Next Frontier’.The annual event brings together local and international maritime experts, and the maritime community to promote awareness and facilitate discussions on maritime safety.
This is the world’s first centre dedicated to policy research and capacity development specifically for the Asia-Pacific region, helping countries pursue both economic development and sustainability goals.
Indonesia's trade with the EU could double from 30 billion USD to 60 billion USD once Indonesia-EU Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IEU-CEPA) is enforced
The recognition not only raises awareness of biodiversity conservation but also paves the way for deeper cooperation between Vietnam and Laos in eco-tourism development and sustainable management of nature reserves.
The Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between Indonesia and the EU will open up broader access for Indonesian exports to the EU, describing it as a vast market with over 460 million people, a substantial GDP, and significant trade activity.
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet announced on July 14 that the country will begin enforcing its long-dormant compulsory military service law starting in 2026.
Boats and ferries are regular modes of transport in Indonesia, an archipelago of more than 17,000 islands, and accidents are relatively common due to bad weather as well as lax safety standards that often allow vessels to be overloaded.
The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) on July 14 resolved to establish an inquiry panel to examine the leaked audio clip in which Paetongtarn is heard speaking with former Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen regarding the Thai-Cambodian border dispute. In the clip, she appears to refer to the commander of Thailand’s Second Army Area as “the other side.”
The ACFTA, launched in 2000, became one of the world’s largest free trade agreements by 2010, when Version 1.0 eliminated tariffs on over 90% of traded goods.
The provision requires individuals or companies to notify the relevant authority at least 30 days in advance if they know or have reasonable grounds to suspect that an item could be misused or used for restricted activities.
According to Governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Thapanee Kiatpaibool, the Middle East market is a supporting factor helping to boost tourism revenue as it currently has a growth of about 17% to 18%. Therefore, Thailand aims to increase the volume of arrivals from the Middle East and airlines.
The popular cage-bird is listed as endangered by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, and a protected species by the Indonesian environment and forestry ministry.
Thai police recently conducted coordinated raids at 19 locations linked to a foreign call centre network in Bangkok, Samut Prakan, and Chonburi, seizing luxury vehicles and more than 27 million THB (833,800 USD) in cash.
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto described reaching a political agreement with the EU as a "breakthrough" after 10 years of negotiations, affirming that his country considers Europe a very important trading partner.
The Thai government has instructed the Ministry of Public Health to coordinate with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and provincial public health offices nationwide. Their mission is to increase inspections of products containing cannabis extracts.
With lead firms (especially in electronics, machinery and auto parts) will reconsider Malaysia’s manufacturing capabilities, long-term capital investment potentially will flow to ASEAN rivals - Vietnam, Indonesia or Thailand.
Singapore now boasts 2,590 Green Mark-certified buildings as of March 2025. These green buildings collectively save over 4.2 billion kWh energy annually – equivalent to powering 1 million 4-room HDB flats and 1.3 billion SGD (1 billion USD) in cost savings per year.
Treatment using Imcranib 100 is now available at Chulabhorn Hospital, signicantly reducing treatment costs and increasing access to care for Thai patients, according to the CRA.
New Zealand views SEANWFZ as part of a broader network of nuclear weapon-free zones across the southern hemisphere, including in Latin America, Africa, and the South Pacific
