Officials of Australia and the ASEAN member states signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on strengthening cooperation to counter international terrorism in Sydney, Australia on March 17.
Sydney (VNA) – Officials of Australia and the ASEAN member states signed aMemorandum of Understanding (MoU) on strengthening cooperation to counterinternational terrorism within the framework of the ASEAN – Australia SpecialSummit in Sydney, Australia on March 17.
Thesigning ceremony took place under the witness of ASEAN leaders and AustralianPrime Minister Malcolm Turnbull.
TheMoU is considered a historic breakthrough contributing to strengthening the twosides’ collaboration in ensuring regional security.
Viasigned framework agreements, ASEAN and Australia agreed to enhancecounter-terrorism cooperation in terrorist financing and violent extremism.
Australiacommitted to maintaining annual dialogues between its government, security andlaw enforcement agencies with ASEAN to seek practical measures to safeguardregional security.
Thedocument features various initiatives and framework agreements covering engineering,anti-terrorism law building, regional dialogues and seminars on electronicevidence, financial intelligence and ways to tackle online radicalization.-VNA
The first ASEAN-Australia Special Summit opened in Sydney on March 16, in the presence of Australia’s PM Malcolm Turnbull, and leaders of ASEAN nations including Vietnamese PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc.
Australian Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment Steven Ciobo has announced a joint initiative between Australia and ASEAN countries to promote digital trade and support inclusive economic growth
Australia has tightened security ahead of the ASEAN-Australia Special Summit which is being held from March 16-18 in Sydney, the capital city of New South Wales.
Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc met with his Lao counterpart Thongloun Sisoulith on the sidelines of the ASEAN - Australia Special Summit in Sydney, Australia on March 17 morning.
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.
At the event (Source: VNA) 
