ASEAN's next page to be shaped by new, emerging trends: Secretary-General
The next page in ASEAN’s story will be shaped by new and emerging trends that present both challenges as well as opportunities, said Secretary-General Dr. Kao Kim Hourn.
Secretary-General Dr. Kao Kim Hourn speaks at the ceremony. (Photo: VNA)
Jakarta (VNA) - The next page in ASEAN’s storywill be shaped by new and emerging trends that present both challenges as wellas opportunities, said Secretary-General Dr. Kao Kim Hourn.
Making his remarks at a January 9 ceremony to officiallytake office as head of the ASEAN Secretariat, the official assessed that as aregion very much prone to natural disasters and vulnerable to climatechange, the bloc must hasten its drive towards sustainable development andaccelerate its collective efforts for transition to a carbon neutral economy.
It is also necessary to prepare to deal with any potentialor eventual natural calamities, he added.
“We should likewise strongly pivot towards the developmentof an ASEAN Digital Economy to leverage the region’s 440 million internet usersand facilitate new trade and investment opportunities, create more jobs, aswell as enhance innovation and productivity, whilst also addressing the growingcybersecurity threats and other technology-related challenges,” he recommended.
According to the new Secretary-General, the region’spreparedness for a digital and sustainable future, together with theimplementation of the ASEAN Comprehensive Recovery Framework (ACRF) and theentry into force of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP),will be crucial for the bloc to remain competitive and open in the globallandscape and will propel its growth, with sustainability and resilience, inthe coming years.
“A future-ready ASEAN undoubtedlyshould also be crafted and directly involved by all of our stakeholders,particularly the youths. This important demographic will play a critical rolein strengthening ASEAN’s resilience to respond to future health emergencies,disasters, impacts from climate change, as well as other emerging trends andchallenges,” he went on.
In conclusion, he affirmed that ASEAN has always been at itsvery best when it works together collectively in the spirit of unity andsolidarity, whether that be among member states or with external partners./.
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The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), in partnership with the US Agency for International Development (USAID) and UN Women, launched the ASEAN Regional Plan of Action on Women, Peace and Security (ASEAN RPA on WPS) on December 5.
The 4th ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community Research and Development Forum on “Building disaster resilience to climate-related hazards in Southeast Asia” has been held virtually with support from the Japan-ASEAN Integration Fund (JAIF).
Secretary-General of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Dato Lim Jock Hoi has affirmed that ASEAN’s strong commitment to regional cooperation and integration will help the region navigate through headwinds and uncertainties such as the global economic slowdown, higher food and energy prices, climate disasters, and continued global trade tensions.
Dr. Kao Kim Hourn has affirmed six key priorities of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) as he officially took office as the new Secretary-General in Jakarta on January 9.
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.
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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.
Secretary-General Dr. Kao Kim Hourn speaks at the ceremony. (Photo: VNA)
