"ASEAn"

As ASEAN Chair, Malaysia aims to enhance intra-ASEAN trade and investment while also leading efforts to explore and expand economic cooperation and partnerships beyond the region.

In their speeches, leaders of countries and international organisations emphasised ASEAN’s cooperation, solidarity, inclusivity, and resilience amid global uncertainties and significant transformations.

Under the theme Building a United, Inclusive, and Resilient ASEAN amidst Global Transformation, AFF 2025 serves as a high-profile platform to drive discussions on strengthening regional cooperation, fostering sustainable development, and positioning ASEAN as a key player in global affairs.

President Prabowo had ordered the Ministry of Finance to cut the budget for overseas travel of ministers and officials who are members of the Red and White Cabinet.

PM Pham Minh Chinh called for cooperation and connection between ASEAN and the world, and between Vietnam and ASEAN countries to develop together and move forward together to exploit the world’s intelligence to serve common development goals.

Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has called for stronger ASEAN collaboration to combat online scams, tackle misinformation, and promote ethical use of artificial intelligence (AI).

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba on January 10 met with his Malaysian counterpart Anwar Ibrahim during his visit to the Southeast Asian country, pledging to enhance cooperation in addressing urgent regional and international challenges, including tensions in the East Sea, the Middle East, and the ongoing crisis in Myanmar.

The Republic of Korea (RoK)'s Minister of of Trade, Industry and Energy Cheong In-kyo on December 26 said that the RoK-Philippines free trade agreement (FTA), set to take effect next week, will help the country further bolster its trade portfolio and contribute to maintaining a stable supply chain.

A delegation of the ASEAN Committee in Mexico (ACMC) visited Durango state from November 25-27 to promote collaboration in trade, investment, mining, education, and culture.

A training course on crime scene investigation (CSI) aimed at enhancing the skills of investigators from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the Republic of Korea (RoK) through the exchange of best practices and experiences opened in Vietnam's central city of Da Nang on November 25.

The 14th China-ASEAN Prosecutors-General Conference, themed "Fostering Cooperation on Combating Financial Crimes", took place in Singapore on October 29.

Four Southeast Asian nations – Singapore, Brunei, Malaysia, and Indonesia – are sending assistance to the Philippines to support its ongoing recovery efforts after Typhoon Trami.

As Malaysia assumes the ASEAN chairmanship in 2025, it should focus on implementing more people-centric measures and enhancing intra-ASEAN trade, said experts.

The seventh ASEAN conference on electronic and personal data protection took place in Vientiane, Laos, on October 22, drawing 46 officials from 10 ASEAN member countries.

With concrete results obtained, Chairman of the National Assembly (NA) Tran Thanh Man’s freshly-ended official visit to Laos will surely create a new impetus for promoting Vietnam - Laos comprehensive and practical cooperation in various spheres, particularly economy, trade, and investment, on par with the sound political ties, said Chairman of the NA’s Committee for External Relations Vu Hai Ha.

National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man held a meeting with Chairman of the House of Representatives of the National Assembly of Belarus Igor Sergeyenko in Vientiane on October 19, while there for the 45th General Assembly of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA-45).

National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man on October 19 noted with pleasure the growing legislative ties between Vietnam and Thailand, and suggested the two sides enhance all-level delegation exchanges to boost the cooperation.

The 45th General Assembly of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA-45) opened in Vientiane on October 19.

National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man met with Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone in Vientiane on October 17, assuring the host that Vietnam always gives top priority to the special traditional ties with Laos and fully supports Laos in its national defence, construction, renewal and development.

National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man and his Lao counterpart Saysomphone Phomvihane held talks in Vientiane on October 17, right after the welcome ceremony.