ASEAN accelerates implementation of commitments to gender equality
The 11th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Social Welfare and Development was convened in Malaysia on July 5 under the theme of “Accelerating the Implementation of ASEAN’s Commitments for Gender Equality through Gender Mainstreaming and Social Inclusion”.
A number of representatives from ASEAN member countries pose for a photo during the ASEAN Gender Mainstreaming Conference in Indonesia, July 4, 2023. (Photo:kompas.id)
Jakarta (VNA) ༺– The 11th ASEAN MinisterialMeeting on Social Welfare and Development was convened in Malaysia on July 5under the theme of “Accelerating the Implementation of ASEAN’s Commitments forGender Equality through Gender Mainstreaming and Social Inclusion”.
The meeting encouraged all member states toformulate and review relevant policies and programmes in line with the ASEAN’scommitments to gender equality through gender mainstreaming and socialinclusion across the three ASEAN Community pillars with full support from theASEAN Secretariat. It applauded all member states to implement theConvention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) through theMid-Term Review of the ASEAN Enabling Masterplan 2025: Mainstreaming the rightsof persons with disabilities and its follow up activities. The meeting accelerated ASEAN-led regional andnational efforts that contribute to knowledge sharing, technical competenciesand capacity building on gender mainstreaming and social inclusion. It agreed to establish networking platformswith various stakeholders, including Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) formeaningful exchange and dialogue towards a people-oriented and people-centredASEAN. Besides, the meetingencouraged member states to develop a whole-of-ASEAN strategy for a holisticfamily-centred approach that strengthens family well-being and development,family resilience and family solidarity to adapt to challenges, facing familiesand addresses emerging issues and concerns of families in general, such asthrough introducing “ASEAN Family Day” to be celebrated in May every year./.
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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.
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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.
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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.
A number of representatives from ASEAN member countries pose for a photo during the ASEAN Gender Mainstreaming Conference in Indonesia, July 4, 2023. (Photo:kompas.id) 
