Second Asia-Pacific Water Summit opened

The second Asia-Pacific Water Summit opened on May 19 in Chiang Mai province, Thailand , to seek answers to the world's drought, flood and wastewater problems.
The second Asia-Pacific Water Summit opened on May 19 in Chiang Maiprovince, Thailand , to seek answers to the world's drought, floodand wastewater problems.

The summit entitled "WaterSecurity and Water-related Disaster Challenges: leadership andcommitment" has drawn over 2,000 political leaders, high-rankingofficials, water experts and engineers from 37 countries in theAsia-Pacific region.

“Today's meeting reflects thestrong joint efforts and the commitment of the Asia-Pacific countries inaddressing water security and water-related disaster challenges, whichaffect the lives of individuals, local communities, and societies at alllevels," Deputy Prime Minister, Dr. Plodprasop Suraswadi, who chairsthe Water and Flood Management Commission, said in welcome remarks atthe opening of focus area sessions.

Sevenmajor topics were discussed at the sessions on May 19, includingEconomic, Food, and Water Security; Urban Water Security; EnvironmentalWater Security; Water-related Disaster Challenges; Household WaterSecurity; Water Risks and Resilience; and Integrated Water ResourcesManagement Process for a Water Secure World.

The Government of Thailand began preparations for the 2nd Asia-PacificWater Summit in November 2009. This Summit was originally planned forFebruary 5-6, 2012 in Bangkok , but was rescheduled to May 19-20, 2013in Chiang Mai because of the historical floods that devastatedThailand in 2011.-VNA

See more

At Pulau Seraya power station (Photo: Straitimes)

Singapore begins construction on hydrogen-fueled power plant

Singapore on October 23 began the construction of an 800 million USD power plant that has the capability to use hydrogen to generate electricity, as part of a push to utilise the fuel to reach Singapore’s net-zero carbon emissions target by 2050.

Delegates at the event (Photo: VNA)

125th anniversary of Permanent Court of Arbitration celebrated

The Permanent Mission of Vietnam to the United Nations and missions of the Philippines, Australia, Egypt, Guatemala, Hungary, Thailand, France, Eritrea and Austria, organised a ceremony on October 22 to celebrate the 125th anniversary of the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA), as part of the International Law Week at the UN General Assembly's Legal Committee (Sixth Committee).

CEO of the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation Anuar Fariz Fadzil (Photo: focusmalaysia.my)

Malaysia continues placing emphasis on digitalisation

The Budget 2025 provides significant support to further accelerate Malaysia’s digitalisation, encourage adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) and drive inclusive growth, further positioning Malaysia as a leading digital hub within the ASEAN region, according to CEO of the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) Anuar Fariz Fadzil.

Malaysia's economic reforms boost investment inflow (Photo: thestar.com.my)

Malaysia's economic reforms boost investment inflow

Malaysia has attracted substantial foreign investments, reaching 22.2 billion MYR (5.16 billion USD) in the third quarter of 2024, the highest level for the same period since 2012, according to UOB's Global Markets and Economics report.

Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the UN speaks at the debate (Photo: VNA)

Maintaining peace, stability a must for progress on human rights: Ambassador

Progress in human rights can only be achieved by maintaining peace and stability, respecting the rule of law at both the international and national levels, and ensuring respect for the principles of national sovereignty and non-interference in internal affairs, said Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the UN.

A visitor browses travel promotions at a travel fair in Nonthaburi province. (Photo: Bangkok Post)

Thailand plans enhanced support for domestic tourism

Thailand’s Ministry of Tourism and Sports is aiming to increase subsidy to local tourists in the upcoming stimulus scheme to 50% and would like to change the criteria for online travel agents, mandating them to register in Thailand to avoid losing income to foreign companies.

Oil field offshore Indonesia. (Photo: thejakartapost.com)

Indonesia begins major oil, gas exploration in Sulawesi

Indonesia's state-owned oil company Pertamina, along with foreign partners Sinopec from China and Kuwait’s Kufpec, has signed a contract to explore the Melati oil and gas block, located off the coast of Sulawesi. The block is estimated to contain trillions of cubic feet of gas reserves.