Dili (VNA) -🐈 Timor Leste hosted a ceremony in Oecusse on November 28 to mark its 40th anniversary of proclamation of independence.
Speaking at the event, Timor Leste’s President Taur Matan Ruak said his country is striving to realise its socio-economic development targets, towards the goal of becoming a middle income nation in the next 15 years.
He stressed efforts to eradicate poverty, improve health and education services, saying that they are keys for the country’s future changes.
After officially gaining independence 13 years ago, Timor Leste has worked hard to reconstruct the country, promote economic development, as well as prepare for its ASEAN membership in the coming time.
Speaking to Vietnam News Agency correspondent, Timor Leste’s Prime Minister Rui Maria affirmed relationship between his country and Vietnam has developed strongly in recent years, especially in investment and trade.
Timor Leste is making every effort to be able to become a member of ASEAN, he said, adding that this year, the country opened embassies in ASEAN member nations, namely Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar and Brunei.
With a population of around 1.2 million and an area of 15,000 sq.m, Timor Leste is a young nation in Southeast Asia.
The country’s economy depends heavily on oil exports which bring home about 7 billion USD per year. Timor Leste hopes to attract foreign investment in agriculture and tourism, aiming to diversify its economy.-VNA
Timor-Leste, the newest country in Southeast Asia, is confident and ready to make positive contributions to become a member nation of ASEAN, Prime Minister Rui Maria de Araujo has said.
Telemor, Viettel's subsidiary in Timor-Leste, won the "Fastest Growing Company of the Year in Asia, Australia and New Zealand" category of the International Business Awards 2015 – the Stevie Awards.
Telemor, Viettel’s subsidiary in Timor Leste, has expanded quickly after its entry in 2013 and now has 470,000 users among the country’s population of 1.2 million.
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.
The ceremony (Source: VNA)
