Singapore (VNA)– Ministers from 16 countries of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partner(RCEP) adopted a joint statement in Singapore on August 31.
In the joint statement, theministers assessed the developments since the 5th RCEP IntersessionalMinisterial Meeting on 1 July 2018 in Tokyo, Japan, including the outcomes ofthe 23rd round of negotiations held on 17-27 July 2018 in Bangkok, Thailand.
They also provided guidanceon specific issues elevated by the Trade Negotiating Committee and exchangedviews on the next steps toward the conclusion of negotiations.
They welcomed the conclusionof two additional chapters at the 23rd round of negotiations, namely the Chapterson Customs Procedures and Trade Facilitation and Government Procurement,bringing the total concluded chapters to date to four.
The ministers adopted aPackage of Year-End Deliverables developed by the Trade Negotiating Committee,and welcomed the plans to achieve the targets set out in the Package.
They tasked negotiators toleverage on the positive momentum to expeditiously bring negotiations to amutually beneficial and fair conclusion. To this end, negotiators wereinstructed to exert utmost efforts to achieve each of the targets in thePackage by the end of this year.
The delegates expressed thehope that completion of the Package would signify the substantial conclusion ofthe RCEP negotiations this year.
They looked forward to the next update from thenegotiators before the yearend, and agreed to keep the lines of communicationopen and stand ready to provide prompt guidance and support to thenegotiations, including through intensified domestic consultations, so as toachieve the targets set out in the Package.
RCEP comprises the 10 ASEANcountries, plus Japan, China, the Republic
Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong expressed his hope that the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) will be signed by the end of this year.
Foreign ministers of ASEAN countries and three partner nations - China, the Republic of Korea (RoK) and Japan (ASEAN+3) - met in Singapore on August 4, agreeing on the need for ASEAN+3 to continue contributing to economic connectivity and opening trend in the region.
The 50th ASEAN Economic Ministers (AEM 50) Meeting and Related Meetings kicked off in Singapore on August 29 with the participation of economic leaders from 10 ASEAN member states and partner countries.
Negotiations for the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) have reached a “critical stage” and a conclusion is “finally in sight”, said Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on August 29.
The Lao People’s Revolutionary Party (LPRP) Central Committee’s Commission for Propaganda and Training on August 12 hosted a ceremony and exhibition marking the 75th anniversary of Mass Media and Publishing Day (August 13, 1950 – 2025).
Analysis by an economist found the US tariffs may reduce Thailand's exports by 8.16 billion USD, and when factoring in the trade diversion effect, they could drop by 457 billion THB (14.14 billion USD) this year.
Laos has reaffirmed its strong commitment to protecting forests and enhancing climate change adaptation, calling for deeper regional cooperation to safeguard ecosystems and promote sustainable development.
The import restriction will remain in effect until further notice, depending on developments in disease prevention and control efforts in affected countries, according to the Philippine Department of Agriculture.
Addressing the event, Indonesian Ambassador Dr. Bebeb A.K.N. Djundjunan, who is now holding the ACAT rotating chairmanship, highlighted ASEAN’s message on a more united, resilient, inclusive, and sustainable association. He reviewed key achievements of the group, such as community building and expanded cooperation with global partners.
The Initiative for ASEAN Integration (IAI) has become a key mechanism in narrowing development gaps among member states, helping the CLMV fully implement the joint commitments and comprehensively participate in the bloc’s integration and community building processes.
Four other major Thai destinations - Phuket, Pattaya, Chiang Mai, and Hat Yai - also ranked among the region’s top cities for repeat visits, reflecting Thailand’s diversity and enduring appeal for travellers of all types.
In its Pre-Budget Statement 2026, the ministry stated that growth will be anchored by resilient domestic demand, particularly through private investment, stable employment, and income-enhancing measures such as targeted cash transfers and wage increases.
Singapore is at risk of chikungunya transmission as the number of reported cases this year has more than doubled compared to last year, the country’s Communicable Diseases Agency (CDA) has reported.
On August 11, major RoK outlets, including Yonhap News Agency, KBS, The Korea Herald, and The Korea Times, provided prominent coverage of the talks held the same day between General Secretary Lam and President Lee Jae Myung, during which both sides agreed to strengthen cooperation in economy, security, technology, and culture.
The Singaporean government needs to enable people, workers and businesses to make full use of these tools, and enhance their competitive advantage. It “will walk this journey” with Singaporeans as it has done for the past six decades, said Prime Minister Lawrence Wong.
The meeting provided an opportunity to reaffirm both ASEAN member states' and partners’ commitment to strengthening cooperation and narrowing development gaps.
Thailand emits roughly 350 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent annually, with the energy and industrial sectors accounting for more than 75% of this amount. Though this volume represents just 1% of global emissions, the Thai Government is eager to achieve carbon neutrality, a balance between carbon dioxide emissions and absorption, by 2050.
The Malaysian government is undertaking a structured assessment to examine the role of nuclear power as a potential option for clean, stable, and competitive electricity within Malaysia’s future energy mix.
It aims to identify and honour digital technology initiatives, products, and solutions with practical applications; promote creativity in technology development; anticipate trends and development potential in digital technology; and recognise the role of digital technology in economic growth and enhancing quality of life for citizens in ASEAN countries.
Addressing the ceremony, Indonesian Ambassador Simon D.I. Soekamo, the rotating Chair of the ASEAN Committee in Cuba, highlighted the bloc's spirit of friendship and solidarity, and reaffirmed ASEAN's core values of peace, stability, and prosperity through cooperation and dialogue.
Delegates to the meeting (Source: VNA) 
