ASEAN-Brunei SOM Leader and Country Coordinator for ASEAN - New Zealand Dialogue Relations Johariah Wahab and the ASEAN SOM Leader of New Zealand Deborah Geels co-chaired the meeting. Senior officials of ASEAN member states or their representatives as well as officials from the ASEAN Secretariat were also in attendance. A representative from Timor-Leste was present as observer. ASEAN recognized New Zealand’s commitment to support ASEAN Centrality through active participation in ASEAN-led mechanisms, including cooperation activities under the four themes stipulated in the ASEAN - New Zealand Plan of Action, namely peace, prosperity, people, and planet. The meeting agreed to continue strengthening existing cooperation and explore new areas for future cooperation in counter-terrorism and combatting trafficking in person; cyber security; maritime cooperation; human rights; trade, investment, and digital economy; micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs); people-to-people … [Read more...] about ASEAN, New Zealand commit to bolster strategic partnership
Polish 6th air assault brigade
Vietnam PM exhorts nation to save power
In a directive released Thursday on electricity saving, he warns that the power situation is challenging now and will remain so in the coming years with demand increasing. Economical and efficient use of electricity is the solution to ensuring energy security, the directive says. People should use energy-efficient electrical equipment, switch off electrical devices when leaving the room, only use air conditioners when absolutely necessary but setting them at not less than 26 degrees Celsius. People should avoid using incandescent light bulbs and install rooftop solar power systems. The country should reduce electricity use by 2% a year and power losses in transmission lines to less than 6% by 2025. By 2030 at least 50% of all office and residential buildings should use rooftop solar power. Only LED bulbs should be used in street lights by 2025. To achieve the goals, government agencies must coordinate with local power companies to develop electricity saving plans and … [Read more...] about Vietnam PM exhorts nation to save power
UOB Vietnam forms strategic partnership with Vietnam Airlines
This collaboration aims to provide UOB Vietnam’s cardholders and Vietnam Airlines' Lotusmiles members with great travel benefits and access to exclusive offers and privileges. As the bank with the largest ASEAN consumer footprint and the top card issuer in the region, UOB aims to do right by customers wherever they are by offering deals and rewards for every lifestyle and life stage. The bank has continuously expanded its partnership ecosystem with established brands to offer its customers the very best deals that align with their preferences and desires. In Vietnam, UOB has a strong focus on establishing partnerships with industry leaders across key sectors such as travel, dining, and retail, which include Lazada, Shopee, Starbucks, CGV, Be, GrabFood, and top-notch restaurants to provide customers with the best deals and offers. Paul Kim, head of Personal Financial Services at UOB Vietnam shared, “Our partnership with Vietnam Airlines marks another milestone for us … [Read more...] about UOB Vietnam forms strategic partnership with Vietnam Airlines
Thunderstorms affect hundreds of flights to HCM City
Hundreds of flights to and from the Tan Son Nhat International Airport in HCM City have been affected by bad weather. The Vietnam Air Traffic Management Corporation (VATM) announced on June 9 that 135 flights had been delayed or switched to land at other airports during June 4 and 5 as visibility reduced to just 1,200 metres due to thunderstorms at Tan Son Nhat. "On June 4, 89 flights were delayed at Tan Son Nhat, four others were switched to land at other airports and one returned to its departure airport," VATM said. "There were 46 flights delayed on June 5." VATM said that rains would occur more often during June, affecting the operation of flights at the Tan Son Nhat Airport. The airport is expected to serve nearly 24 million passengers during this summer holiday. Airlines have been asked to co-operate with the airport to deal with possible congestion during this peak season. … [Read more...] about Thunderstorms affect hundreds of flights to HCM City
Children lost for 40 days in Colombian Amazon found alive
"A joy for the whole country! The 4 children who were lost 40 days ago in the Colombian jungle were found alive," Petro wrote on Twitter. His post included a photograph of several adults, some dressed in military fatigues, attending to the children who were sitting on tarps among the dense forest. "They are weak. Let's let the doctors make their assessment," Petro told the press in Bogota. Originally from the Uitoto Indigenous group, the children -- aged 13, nine, four and one -- had been wandering alone in the jungle since May 1, when the Cessna 206 in which they were traveling crashed. The bodies of three adults who had been with them -- their mother, the pilot and a relative -- were all found at the crash site by the army. A massive search by 160 soldiers and 70 Indigenous people with intimate knowledge of the jungle had been under way ever since for the youngsters, garnering global attention. The area is home to jaguars, snakes and other predators, as well as armed … [Read more...] about Children lost for 40 days in Colombian Amazon found alive
Hanoi, South Korea to explore cooperation opportunities in smart city development
Hanoi aims to integrate modern information technology into various aspects of social life management. The presence of numerous plans and projects focused on smart city development in Hanoi creates a favorable environment for Korean businesses to collaborate with Vietnamese counterparts, enabling them to apply their expertise and technology effectively. tiives Vice Chairman of the Hanoi People's Committee Nguyen Manh Quyen (7th from left), South Korea's Deputy Minister of Science and ICT, Park Yoon-Kyu (6th from left), and officials of the two sides at the meeting. Photo: The Hanoi Times This was emphasized on June 9 by South Korea's Deputy Minister of Science and ICT, Park Yoon-Kyu, at a meeting with Nguyen Manh Quyen, Vice Chairman of the Hanoi People's Committee. The use of artificial intelligence and digital technology platforms by Vietnamese and South Korean companies will provide many beneficial services to the people of both countries, Deputy … [Read more...] about Hanoi, South Korea to explore cooperation opportunities in smart city development
Hope Foundation starts building two school toilets in far northern province
Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony for the toilets at Ta Phin Secondary & High School and Sinh Lung Primary & Secondary School on Thursday, Nguyen Van Chinh, vice chairman of the district, said local schools lack many facilities, especially toilets. "The 'School Hygiene' project is a gift that offers students good learning and living conditions, thereby improving the quality of education." Le Quang Hien, deputy head of the district Department of Education and Training, said in recent years the size and quality of schools have been improved, and the number of students attending schools has also increased. But the quality of school facilities, including toilets, remains low. Some schools completely lack toilets while others’ are dilapidated, lack water and are unsanitary, and this has a significant impact on the quality of life and learning of teachers and students, he said. Children use a makeshift toilet at a school in Dong Van District, Ha Giang Province. … [Read more...] about Hope Foundation starts building two school toilets in far northern province
Travel companies see positive outlook but challenges lie ahead
Trang An scenic landscape complex in the northern province of Ninh Binh. After three years of stagnation due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Viet Nam's tourism industry is accelerating its recovery. — VNA/VNS Photo Experts forecast a positive outlook for travel stocks after two years of being battered by the COVID-19 pandemic. However, Vietnamese tourism businesses still have to face many difficulties and challenges. Positive first quarter After three years of stagnation due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Viet Nam's tourism industry is accelerating its recovery. According to the General Statistics Office, in the first five months of this year, the number of international visitors to Viet Nam was estimated at nearly 4.6 million, 12.6 times higher than the same period last year. Of the total of nearly 4.6 million international visitors to Viet Nam in the past five months, visitors coming by air accounted for 88 per cent; by road accounted for 10.9 per cent; by sea 1.1 per cent. With the … [Read more...] about Travel companies see positive outlook but challenges lie ahead