Renewable water resources

The drought-stricken Kwan Phayao Lake in Phayao province in northern Thailand in May 2023. (Photo: bangkokpost.com) Bangkok (VNA) – Thailand’s Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking (JSCCIB) has said drought, floods and other extreme weather exacerbated by climate change could cause damage worth 36 billion THB (1 billion USD) to the Thai economy this year. Kriengkrai Thiennukul, chairman of the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI), a key member of the JSCCIB, stressed that water scarcity caused by drought is the committee's leading concern because it could have a massive impact on both the agricultural and manufacturing sectors, hampering already sluggish exports. According to the Commerce Ministry's latest data, in the first four months of 2023 Thai exports decreased by 5.2% year-on-year to 92 billion USD, while imports fell by 2.2% to 96.5 billion USD, resulting in a trade deficit of 4.51 billion USD. drought , hoping to work with the … [Read more...] about Thailand forecasts huge losses caused by climate change

Several hydropower plants in the northern region have suspended generating electricity due to the shortage of water amid massive power outages. The water level at the Thac Ba Reservoir has gone below the dead level Seven large dams in the north including Son La, Lai Chau, Huoi Quang, Thac Ba, Tuyen Quang, Ban Ve and Hua Na had reached dead storage levels, forcing them to suspend generating power. Only Hoa Binh hydropower dam has water and could maintain power generation until June 13, said Tran Viet Hoa, director of the Electricity Regulatory Authority under the Ministry of Industry and Trade. “The electricity supply situation in the north is facing major challenges because hydroelectricity accounts 43.6 percent of output,” he said at a meeting on Wednesday. As of Tuesday, available capacity of hydroelectricity reached 3,110 MW, only 23.70 percent of installed capacity. The total available capacity of the northern power network is 17,500-17,900 MW, or just … [Read more...] about Hydropower plants stop electricity generation due to lack of water

An overview of a discussion during the NA's fifth session. (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – Legislators are scheduled to discuss in groups the draft Land Law (revised) at the National Assembly 's ongoing fifth session in Hanoi on June 9. The bill, which was made public to receive opinions from the people from January 3 to March 15, aims to complete the land-related institutions and policies to match the socialist-oriented market economy institutions, while dealing with the overlapping and differences in policies and legal regulations in the field. It is expected to create a legal corridor for the efficient and sustainable management and use of land resources, ensuring defence-security, protecting the environment, adapting to climate changes and making a new motivation for the country to become a developed country with high income. The bill is also hoped to settle problems in land management and use, ensure harmonised interests of the State, land users and investors, promote the … [Read more...] about Lawmakers to discuss draft revised Land Law

Themed “Kien Giang provincial armed forces together with the party organization, authorities, and people of Hon Dat district build new-style rural area,” the program will take place from June 2023 to January 2024. As planned, the program will facilitate the construction of 115 houses for needy households and seven rural bridges; present gifts to policy beneficiaries, poor and near-poor families; provide health examination, medicines, and consultation for locals. The organizing panel will present scholarships to needy students with good academic results; build electricity systems in rural areas; carry out environment projects; and hold artistic and sporting events and competitions. Speaking at the ceremony, Deputy Chairman of the Kien Giang provincial People’s Committee and head of the steering committee Nguyen Luu Trung evaluated that this mass mobilization model bears profound socio-political and humane significance, embodying the tradition of "When drinking water, remember its … [Read more...] about Kien Giang kick-starts military-civilian program in 2024

In 2022, industry revenue exceeded US$25 billion, an increase of 5.7% year-over-year. The 11th Hanoi International Plastics, Rubber, Printing and Packaging Industry Exhibition (HanoiPlasPrintPack), considered a platform to promote the development of the local plastics industry, is underway at the Hanoi International Exhibition Center (ICE) from June 8 to 11. Overview of the event. Photo: VGP The annual Hanoi PlasPrintPack Fair, jointly organized by the Ministry of Industry and Trade and Yorkers Exhibition Service Vietnam, has returned after a long hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Building on the success of Vietnamplas, held annually in Ho Chi Minh City and is the largest plastics industry exhibition in Vietnam, this event has attracted numerous domestic and international companies. With over 340 booths representing 220 companies from countries such as Belgium, China, Hong Kong (China), India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan … [Read more...] about HanoiPlasPrintPack Exhibition launched to boost local plastic industry development

The move boosts innovative ideas and solutions to drive positive changes in plastic reduction, reuse and recycling and to unlock new sources of sustainable financing. A new task force was launched by the Vietnam National Plastic Action Partnership (NPAP) launched to promote innovation and catalyze investment in effective solutions for reducing plastic waste and pollution in Vietnam. In collaboration with the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Hanoi and its Commercial Section - Innovation Norway, the Task Force held its first meeting to discuss new technologies for Deposit Return Systems (DRS). The NPAP Innovation and Financing Task Force -- co-chaired by the International Cooperation Department of the Ministry of Natural Science and Environment (MONRE) and the Alliance to End Plastic Waste – brings together government agencies and domestic and international enterprises and organizations to boost innovative ideas and solutions to drive positive changes in plastic reduction, reuse and … [Read more...] about New task force promotes innovation, financing for plastic waste reduction in Vietnam

The meeting between Vietnamese Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son and Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira in Paris on June 8 (Photo: VNA) Paris (VNA) – Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son met with officials of Brazil, France, the European Commission (EC), and Canada on the sidelines of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation Development (OECD) Ministerial Council Meeting 2023 in Paris on June 8. Meeting with his Brazil ian counterpart Mauro Vieira, he affirmed that Vietnam treasures and wishes to enhance the comprehensive partnership with Brazil, one of its most important partners in Latin America. Son suggested the two sides maintain high-level delegation exchanges as well as coordination and mutual support at international organisations and multilateral forums, especially the United Nations, the World Trade Organisation (WTO), and others of which both are members. He asked Brazil to support and push the launch of negotiations on a free trade agreement … [Read more...] about Vietnamese Foreign Minister meets officials of Brazil, France, EC, Canada in Paris

The meeting was jointly chaired by Secretary-General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Malaysia and SOM Leader of Malaysia, Dato’ Sri Amran Mohamed Zin and Assistant Deputy Minister for Asia Pacific of Global Affairs Canada, Weldon Epp, with the participation of ASEAN Senior Officials, representatives of the ASEAN Secretariat, and Timor-Leste as an observer. At the event, Canada conveyed its unwavering support for ASEAN community-building efforts, assistance towards the region’s recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, and commitment to ASEAN centrality through its active participation in ASEAN-led mechanisms. Both sides welcomed positive advancement made in the implementation of the ASEAN-Canada Plan of Action (2021-2025) and acknowledged the strengthening of cooperation between both sides across the three ASEAN Community pillars. They shared the significance of intensifying economic cooperation in key areas of trade and investment. Recognizing the economic potential, they … [Read more...] about ASEAN, Canada vow to bolster longstanding partnership relations

Speaking at a press conference on June 7, head of Bakamla, Vice Admiral Aan Kurnia said that the forum aims to establish cooperation to maintain security and stability in ASEAN. He noted that it also encourages information sharing, coordination, and joint training among its member countries. The forum also aims to build trust among coast guards in Southeast Asia. Running in Jakarta from June 6-9, the forum is being attended by representatives from seven ASEAN member countries, namely Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, the Philippines, Brunei, Cambodia, and Indonesia, which is chairing the forum for the first time. Kurnia noted that ASEAN member countries face similar challenges in maintaining maritime security, including illegal fishing, violation of territorial boundaries, and the smuggling of goods. He stressed that each country must respect each other's sovereignty, territorial boundaries, and laws, but that international cooperation is still essential to protect the waters of … [Read more...] about ASEAN Coast Guard Forum discusses maritime protection

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