ASEAN should boost quality of life to build resilient and inclusive community: ADB
Members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) must make greater efforts to improve the quality of life in the region to build a resilient community and achieve a faster recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, said a new report released by the Asian Development Bank (ADB).
Illustrative image. A boy plays with bubbles on the walking street around Hoan Kiem Lake in Hanoi. (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) - Members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)must make greater efforts to improve the quality of life in the region to builda resilient community and achieve a faster recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic,said a new report released by the Asian Development Bank (ADB).
The region's path to progress must focus on achieving success in areas likereading, math, and science, better nutrition, and access to quality healthcare,the report noted.
According to ADB Director General for Southeast Asia Winfried Wicklein,fortifying health systems, raising the quality of education, and improvingnutrition will equip young workers physically, mentally, and emotionallyand improve their productivity as the region emerges from the COVID-19pandemic.
He said that rising incomes and a rapid reduction in poverty rates,along with improvements in financial inclusion and internet penetration willhelp the region overcome reversals in development gains caused by the pandemic.
🦩 The report also urged the ASEAN member countries to invest in digital skills,infrastructure, and finance to reduce the cost of business and build a morecompetitive region.
Lockdownmeasures implemented to curb the spread of the pandemic in the ASEAN countries ledto a 3.2% contraction in the region's gross domestic product in 2020, whilethe growth improved to 3.5% in 2021 and rose further to 5.6% in 2022, accordingto the report.
🥃 ASEAN comprises 10 members, namely Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, thePhilippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam./.
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has recommended Southeast Asia accelerate decarbonisation of its global value chains (GVCs) as the region could face up to 30% GDP loss annually by 2100 due to climate change.
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In the today context of socio-economic development and growth, the professionalism of Vietnam’s revolutionary journalists continues to rise, guided by exemplary mastery of new information technologies and the modernisation of their founding principles to preserve the enduring values of revolutionary journalism.
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The forum featured two in-depth discussion sessions, engaging representatives from governments, think tanks, and businesses from both ASEAN and China, on how to forge closer ties for a common future.
The new FIFA Hub in Jakarta will not only support football development in Indonesia but also serve as a coordination centre for 21 football associations across Southeast and East Asia.
Minister Counselor Nguyen Hoang Nguyen reaffirmed Vietnam’s principled and consistent stance on the Palestine issue, calling for an immediate and lasting ceasefire across the entire Gaza Strip.
PM Anwar Ibrahim affirmed the determination of Malaysia, as ASEAN Chair for 2025, to utilise all viable regional mechanisms of the bloc and work with partners to de-escalate violence and restore a peace process led by Myanmar.
Illustrative image. A boy plays with bubbles on the walking street around Hoan Kiem Lake in Hanoi. (Photo: VNA) 
