Strengthening the effectiveness of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) institutions in terms of decision-making was the subject of discussion at the First Meeting of the ASEAN SOM Working Group on Decision Making Process (SOM WG on DMP) which took place in Jakarta, Indonesia, on March 21-22.
Representatives of the 10 ASEAN member states and the ASEAN Secretariat attended the First Meeting of the ASEAN SOM Working Group on Decision Making Process. (Photo: kemlu.go.id)
Jakarta (VNA) - Strengthening theeffectiveness of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)institutions in terms of decision-making was the subject of discussion at theFirst Meeting of the ASEAN SOM Working Group on Decision Making Process (SOM WGon DMP) which took place in Jakarta, Indonesia, on March 21-22. The meeting, whichwas chaired by Rolliansyah Soemirat, Director of ASEAN Political and SecurityCooperation, drew the participation of representatives of 10 ASEAN member statesand the ASEAN Secretariat. The SOM WG on DMP has the mandate to follow up on the outcomesof the 41st and 42nd ASEAN Summits which recommended strengthening ASEANinstitutional capacity and effectiveness within the framework of the Post-2025ASEAN Community vision. At the meeting, ASEAN delegates shared views onoptions for effective and efficient decision-making procedures in ASEAN,especially in specific and urgent situations. The experience of the COVID-19 pandemic serves as a reminder ofASEAN's ability to respond quickly and responsively to special and emergencysituations. Anticipating future dynamics, ASEAN realises that the effectivenessof institutions and work processes, including in terms of decision-making, isan important element to continue to develop while still relying on the ASEANCharter. After compiling key elements and work plans at the firstmeeting, the SOM WG on DMP under the chairmanship of Indonesia will continue towork intensively over the next few months to formulate various forms ofdecision-making guidelines that can be used by ASEAN in specific situations./.
The Financial Services Authority (OJK) of Indonesia, as the chair of the 2023 ASEAN Capital Market Forum (ACMF), is optimistic that ASEAN can achieve fast, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth.
Sports officials from ASEAN member countries, representatives from the ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) and other football associations in the region gathered virtually in the first Technical Working Group Meeting for the Preparation of ASEAN’s Joint Bid for the FIFA World Cup 2034 (1st TWG-FWC Meeting) that took place on March 22.
Kao Kim Hourn, Secretary General of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), has commended Indonesia, Chair of the bloc in 2023, for raising priority economic deliverables (PEDs) that are forward-looking and expected to encourage stronger regional economic cooperation.
The First ASEAN Digital Senior Officials’ Meeting and ASEAN Telecommunications Regulators’ Council (ADGSOM – ATRC) Leaders’ Retreat in 2023 took place on March 20-21 at the ASEAN Secretariat in Jakarta, Indonesia.
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.
Malaysia should harness the collective expertise and resources to drive sustainable growth and development of the halal industry, according to Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry Zafrul Abdul Aziz.
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.
Representatives of the 10 ASEAN member states and the ASEAN Secretariat attended the First Meeting of the ASEAN SOM Working Group on Decision Making Process. (Photo: kemlu.go.id) 
