Vietnam calls for equitable vaccine access, mutual support for economic recovery
Minister Counsellor Nguyen Phuong Tra, Deputy Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the United Nations (UN), has said that inequity in vaccination against COVID-19, particularly in areas of conflict, may pose a threat to peacebuilding efforts and development achievements in the recent past.
Doses of COVID-19 vaccine distrbuted via the COVAX Facility (Photo: WHO in Vietnam)
New York (VNA) – Minister🌼 Counsellor NguyenPhuong Tra, Deputy Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the United Nations(UN), has said that inequity in vaccin♈ation against COVID-19, particularly in areas of conflict, may pose a threat to peacebuilding efforts and development achievementsin the recent past.
She made the remark during UN Security Council consultationsheld on December 13 on the implementation of Resolution 2532 and Resolution2565, which demanded a cessation of hostilities in allsituations on the UNSC's agenda to combat the COVID-19 pandemic and ahumanitarian pause to facilitate the delivery of COVID-19 vaccines in areas ofarmed conflict, respectively. Tra emphasised that it is necessary to ensure that allpeople are inoculated against COVID-19 and able to access testing andtreatment, calling on countries to offer financial assistance and vaccinesupply for the COVAX Facility. Vietnam underlines the importance of long-term measures, includingputting an end to conflicts and focusing on economic development and improvement of people’slivelihood, together with support for economic recovery, the diplomat stated./.
Amid the complicated developments of the COVID-19 pandemic and the emergence of new variants, Vietnam will continue stepping up vaccine diplomacy in the near future to meet vaccination demand in the country next year, said Foreign Ministry’s spokeswoman Le Thi Thu Hang.
Vietnam’s consistent policy of protecting and promoting human rights has been clearly shown in the context of COVID-19 posing unprecedented challenges to global efforts in protecting human rights.
A factory producing Russia’s Sputnik V vaccine against COVID-19 will be built in Vietnam within one year and is expected to produce 30-40 million doses annually, Chairman of Russian pharmaceutical company Binnopharm Dmitry Zubov told Vietnam News Agency correspondents in Russia.
Vietnam Air Services Company (VASCO), a subsidiary of Vietnam Airlines Corporation, on December 11 safely transported a batch of COVID-19 vaccine from Ho Chi Minh City to Con Dao island of southern Ba Ria-Vung Tau province.
Featuring a permanent exhibition area, the ASEAN Hall will function both as a cultural showcase and as a dynamic venue for ASEAN-related events and programmes. Its inauguration on ASEAN Day added symbolic weight, marking a fresh milestone in ASEAN–RoK relations.
Thailand’s Ministry of Commerce and rice exporters are devising strategic plans to boost rice exports amid global market fluctuations, focusing on key markets and adjusting output.
The focus of the upcoming ASEAN Summit in October will be on strengthening economic relations through intra-regional trade and investment, as well as regional initiatives on energy networks and connectivity.
Indonesian Ambassador Rina P. Soemarno, who currently serves as Chair of the ASEAN Committee in Prague, emphasised the spirit of regional solidarity and cooperation, and the importance of enhancing ASEAN–Czech Republic relations.
The Indonesian Government is determined to seize opportunities to enhance the competitiveness of national agricultural products, an official has said, adding that it always strives to promote exports at the highest possible level, based on a mutually beneficial foundation.
Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira has outlined a six-point strategy to promote innovation, support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and push for Thailand's removal from the US Trade Representative (USTR)’s special 301 Watch List regarding intellectual property rights protection among trading partners.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Israel Ly Duc Trung emphasised ASEAN’s central role in regional mechanisms such as the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) and the East Asia Summit (EAS), highlighting its significant contribution to promoting peace, stability, and prosperity in Southeast Asia.
The consumer index of the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC), fell to 51.7 in July from 52.7 in the previous month. The sluggish economy and the trade war, as well as high living costs, continue to undermine confidence, the university said.
Deputy Speaker of the Hungarian National Assembly Istvan Jakab expressed his hope for further deepening Hungary’s ties with ASEAN countries and called for their support for Hungary’s accession to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia.
The 30-storey tower crumbled seconds after a 7.7-magnitude earthquake hit neighbouring Myanmar on March 28. The partially built high-rise, meant to house the State Audit Office (SAO), was the only building in Thailand to collapse, killing 89 people on the site, mostly construction workers.
Indonesia’s waste generation is projected to exceed 50 million tonnes in 2025. Of the total, more than 20 million tonnes could potentially enter the ocean through rivers, coastal areas, small islands, ports, and marine activities, and thereby, pose a risk to coastal ecosystems and marine biota.
Indonesia is accelerating plans to increase lithium imports, particularly from Australia, in a bid to fill gaps in the electric vehicle (EV) battery supply chain and realise its ambition of becoming a global EV manufacturing hub.
Malaysia’s gross expenditure on R&D (GERD) reached 1.01% of gross domestic product in 2022, a notable increase, with more than 51% contributed by the industry sector. The country is targeting GERD to reach 2.5% by 2030, in line with the national goal of transforming into a high-technology nation.
The facility was established in response to a growing shift in the Filipino labour force from the Middle East to Japan, where workers are seeking safer working environments.
In the latest Indonesia-US trade agreement in July, the US administration agreed to reduce the reciprocal tariff, which was initially set at 32% by US President Donald Trump last April, to 19%.
Real estate agency ERA Singapore estimated that there are 2,703 condo developments in Singapore today, of which 836 or 31% are at least 30 years old. In 10 years, this number is expected to climb to 1,160, assuming none is sold en bloc.
The new framework is designed to ensure that incoming investments deliver tangible national benefits, such as the creation of high-quality jobs for Malaysians and the development of local company ecosystems and technologies.
Singapore led with a total of 8.8 billion USD in realised investment, followed by Hong Kong and mainland China, Malaysia, and Japan with 8 billion USD, 1.7 billion USD and 1.6 billion USD, respectively.
Thai Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai on August 7 outlined his strategy for tackling drug problems in Thailand, aiming for a "Zero Drugs Thailand" within three months.
The US has described Malaysia's role as Chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) as vital in helping ease tension between Thailand and Cambodia.
Doses of COVID-19 vaccine distrbuted via the COVAX Facility (Photo: WHO in Vietnam) 
