Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull (Source: VNA)
Singapore (VNA) –Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull will be the keynote speaker at theannual 16th Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore from June 2-4.
Organised by the InternationalInstitute for Strategic Studies (IISS), the dialogue will be divided into sixsessions featuring the US and security in the Asia-Pacific; upholding arule-based regional order; new challenges for crisis management in theAsia-Pacific; changes to geo-politics and defence policies; building commonfoundation for regional security; and global threats and regional security.
The event will also examinenuclear danger in the Asia-Pacific and practical measures to avoid conflict atsea, among others.
Via the forum in the past years,a number of initiatives were raised, including those regarding maritimesecurity in the Strait of Malacca, increase in small and light weapons,regional security architecture, humanitarian research and rescue.
Many regional government leaders took the floor as the keynote speakers atprevious forums, with Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Long in 2015,Japanese PM Shinzo Abe in 2014, Vietnamese PM Nguyen Tan Dung in 2013, IndonesianPresident Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono in 2012, and Malaysian PM Najib Razak in 2011.-VNA
Defence Minister Ngo Xuan Lich stressed the need to boost links among countries worldwide and promote the role of security mechanisms within Asia Pacific to deal with security challenges.
Thailand’s Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha called on ASEAN to promote its role in building security balance in the region while the opening the 15th Shangri-La Dialogue on June 3 in Singapore.
The East Sea issue was once again high on the agenda of the 15th Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore as many officials clarified China’s unilateral actions that have provoked tensions and their corollary
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.
Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull (Source: VNA) 
