ASEAN and the world

(CPV) - “Australia has long recognized the significance of ASEAN to the region’s security and prosperity”, said Mr Simon Merrifield, Australian Ambassador to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in recent presentations in Vietnam.

The eighth Asian Parliamentary Assembly issued the Phnom Penh Declaration at the end of its four-day working session on December 11th.

Indonesia will purchase 1 million tonnes of rice from Pakistan within the next four years in an attempt to ensure food security against increasingly extreme weather.

Indonesia will purchase 1 million tonnes of rice from Pakistan within the next four years in an attempt to ensure food security against increasingly extreme weather.

A joint statement on enhancing cooperation in preventing and fighting drugs among Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia was signed at the closing ceremony of their 15th ministerial meeting in Ho Chi Minh City on December 10th.

Indonesia will host an international conference in the capital city of Jakarta from December 14th-15th, aiming to search peace solutions for the prolonged conflict in the Middle East.

Malaysia will send experts to Australia in February 2016 to assist Australia in the fight against terrorism, announced Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi on December 7th.

Singapore and the US signed a defence cooperation agreement (DCA) in Washington on December 8th.

A Vietnamese delegation led by Vice Admiral Pham Ngoc Minh, Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army is attending a dialogue of d efense chiefs of the South and Southeast Asian Nations (SASEAN) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on December 7th-8th.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) has chosen 15 finalists to compete for the Best Documentary Feature Oscar 2016.

The Myanmar Government and eight ethnic armed groups completed a draft framework for holding political dialogue as part of the implementation of the National Ceasefire Accord (NCA), according to Xinhua News on December 6th.

Millions of Thai people dressed yellow and streamed down the streets nationwide on December 5th to celebrate the 88th birth anniversary of their King, Bhumibol Adulyadej.

With its capacity of approaching people from all walks of life, the press is responsible for and plays an important role in popularising information about the ASEAN Community, opportunities brought by it and challenges facing it during the changing regional and international situations.

Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) told Thai authorities that 10 militants linked to the Islamic State (IS) entered Thailand to attack citizens, interests of Russia and allied countries fighting IS, Thai police and media said on December 4th.

Laos broke ground on a USD6 billion railway linking the country to China in the capital city of Vientiane on December 2nd.

(CPV) - ADB has approved a USD100 million loan to support government efforts to boost urban and water services in Bac Giang, Mong Cai and Sa Pa, three towns located along the North-South Economic Corridor within the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS).

Myanmar’s President U Thein Sein and military chief, General Min Aung Hlaing met Aung San Suu Kyi, head of the election-winning opposition National League for Democracy (NLD), in Nay Pyi Taw on December 2nd.

(CPV) - Larger Pacific governments are facing lower growth and tighter fiscal conditions sparked by low commodity prices, while other countries in the region are benefitting from strong growth in tourism and fishing license revenues, says ADB’s latest Pacific Economic Monitor.

Laos organised a grand parade to celebrate its 40th National Day (December 2nd, 1975) at Thatluang Square in Vientiane capital city on December 2nd.