ASEAN

Fashion designers from 48 countries observed a silk weaving demonstration at the Sibuathong Support Foundation Centre in Ang Thong province this week (Photo: news.thaivisa.com)   Bangkok (NNT/VNA) – Fashion designers from 48 countries observed a silk weaving demonstration at the Sibuathong Support Foundation Centre in Ang Thong province this week. Thanpuying Poranee Mahanon, Deputy Private Secretary of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit of the Ninth Reign, welcomed 120 fashion designers from 48 nations around the world who are taking part in “The 8th Celebration of Silk, Thai Road to the World 2018” event being held at Central World in Bangkok until December 9. The visiting designers were given a demonstration of silk weaving which was narrated by students from Satri Angthong School. Nickie Geneser Bach, a Danish fashion designer, said she learnt about Thai silk on social media, but had never had the opportunity to experience how Thai silk was made until now, … [Read more...] about World’s leading designers learn to weave Thai silk

A photo being showcased at the exhibition (Photo: thainews.prd.go.th)   Bangkok (NNT/VNA) – The Bangkok Art and Culture Centre is putting beautiful pictures of tourist attractions in Thailand on display for visitors to admire. A total of 124 pictures of famous and lesser-known attractions in Thailand are being showcased at Bangkok Art and Culture Centre, a contemporary arts center known for its burgeoning art scene and a wide range of contemporary art, design, music, theatre, and film. The 124 pictures were among the best entries of the “Amazing Thailand” photo contest organised by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and the Royal Photographic Society of Thailand. Thirteen of them won awards from Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha. There were more than 10,000 entries in the competition. The thirteen winning photos will be featured on the TAT’s 2019 calendars to be given out to Thai and foreign tourists. The photo exhibition will come to an … [Read more...] about Pictures of Thai tourist attractions showcased at Bangkok Art and Culture Centre

Late ASEAN Secretary-General Surin Pitsuwan (Source: Xinhua/VNA) Jakarta (VNA) – The ASEAN Secretariat and the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA) co-organised an event in Jakarta, Indonesia, on December 3 to commemorate late Surin Pitsuwa, who served as 12th ASEAN Secretary-General from 2008-2012. The event attracted the participation of representatives from ASEAN nations and the bloc’s partners, together with Surin’s family members, close friends, and scholars, who highlighted his pivotal role in raising the profile and prominence of the regional organisation on the international stage. In his own tribute to the late ASEAN Secretary-General, the current and 14th ASEAN Secretary-General Dato Lim Jock Hoi said “Indeed, Dr. Surin has left behind an indelible mark on the pages of ASEAN’s history. He altered the political landscape of ASEAN, particularly in some of its most difficult moments. He was determined to see that everything … [Read more...] about ASEAN pays tribute to late Secretary-General Surin Pitsuwan

Overview of the symposium (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – Over half a century, ASEAN has brought great benefits to Southeast Asian and Asian-Pacific countries by providing a peaceful and stable environment for development, and an open cooperation space, stated Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Quoc Dung. Addressing the “ASEAN Post 50 and Vietnam” symposium in Hanoi on November 30, Dung, who is head of the ASEAN SOM of Vietnam, said that 2018 is the first year of the next 50 years of the bloc. The way ahead of the association will not be smooth as its surrounding regions and global environment are changing fast in an unpredictable manner, and especially when its community has been formed just three years, he said. Dung expressed his hope that participants will have an overview of the grouping’s new path, point out its urgent issues, and define development orientations and proper steps in the future. The event is also an important preparatory step for Vietnam to … [Read more...] about Symposium seeks orientations for ASEAN future path

Hanoi (VNS/VNA) - The Southeast Asian (SEA) Games 2019 will feature a record of 56 sports, the Southeast Asian Games Federation Council stated during a recent meeting in Manila, the Philippines. The council has added 26 more sports to the initial list that was approved last May. However five of the confirmed sports – Kurash, e-sports, surfing, skateboarding and jujitsu are still awaiting final endorsement, including compliance with World Anti-Doping Code (WADA). If confirmed, e-sports will debut as an official sport at the coming cames for the first time. There will be six gold medals awarded for three gaming platforms -- two for console, two for PC and two for mobile. E-sports made its first appearance in the Asian Games in Indonesia months ago as a demonstration sport. The competitions at the 30th Games will be staged across four main venues – New Clark City Sports Complex, Subic, Manila and Tagaytay as the Philippines looks to host the biggest edition of the meet, … [Read more...] about A record of 56 sports organised at 30th SEA Games

A plenary session of the 2018 Horasis Asia Meeting in Binh Duong province on November 26 (Photo: VNA) Binh Duong (VNA) – The ASEAN and other new regional Asian groups became the focus of a plenary session on November 26, part of the 2018 Horasis Asia Meeting held in the southern province of Binh Duong. The plenum attracted local officials, business executives from many countries, and Vietnamese and foreign researchers. They heard that the ASEAN has been a calming presence for more than 50 years, with new groups emerging with even stronger business orientations. These developments have brought broad consequences for Asia, Europe, and global business. Speakers mentioned issues relating to the future of Asia, such as the creation of a favourable ecosystem for businesses to grow, energy transition, and the free movement of Asia. They suggested making use of diversity to improve governance capacity; investing in the Internet of Things, education, and health care; while also … [Read more...] about Horasis meeting looks into ASEAN, new Asian regional groups

The press conference to announce the “8th Celebration of Silk, Thai Silk Road to the World 2018" (Photo: thainews.prd.go.th) Bangkok (NNT/VNA) - The Thai government will host the “8th Celebration of Silk, Thai Silk Road to the World 2018" at Centara Grand and Bangkok Convention Centre next month.  In a press conference on November 26, Thai Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam announced that the 8th Celebration of Silk, Thai Silk Road to the World 2018, and the 1st International Thai Silk Fashion Week will be held simultaneously during the first week of December, showcasing modern and traditional Thai silk and design as well as a collection of silk products from the SUPPORT Foundation of Queen Sirikit.  Besides fashion shows by Thai designers, international designers will have the opportunity to create their own collections of 12 costumes of Thai Silk to participate in the International Thai Silk Fashion Week to be held between December 2 and 4.  … [Read more...] about Thai government to host silk expo next month

Pork products are examined in Mexico City (Photo: nationalhogfarmer.com) Mexico City (VNA) – The Agri-Good and Veterinary Authority of Singapore (AVA) has licensed 10 Mexican businesses to export beef to this Asian market. The Mexican Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Rural Development, Fisheries and Food (Sagarpa) said on November 24 that the AVA confirmed the food quality and safety at the beef exporting companies in the states of Coahuila, Sonora, Baja California, Durango, Michoacán, Sinaloa, Veracruz and Yucatan. Singapore’s authorities also approved the opening of the market for Mexican pork, Sagarpa added. Earlier, the World Organisation for Animal Health recognised that the American nation successfully eradicated mad cow and foot-and-mouth diseases. Aside from Singapore, Mexican beef has been exported to some other Asian markets, including China, Japan, the Republic of Korea, and Hong Kong (China). Mexico is the world’s sixth largest beef producer. … [Read more...] about Singapore opens market for Mexican beef, pork

The World Economic Forum (WEF) is partnering with leading technological entities including Google, Microsoft, Cisco and Lazada to launch a Digital ASEAN programme. (Photo: thainews.prd.go.th) Bangkok (NNT/VNA) – The World Economic Forum (WEF) is partnering with leading technological entities including Google, Microsoft, Cisco and Lazada to launch a Digital ASEAN programme, aiming to develop digital skills among some 20 million ASEAN citizens by 2020 with an emphasis on SMEs.  Head of Asia-Pacific for WEF Justin Wood said that the programme will utilize 2 million USD to fund technology programmes in ASEAN universities. It will include internship opportunities at tech firms with the ultimate goal of building a strong digital workforce. Initial plans are to spur the employment of 200,000 ASEAN citizens.  Thai Minister of the Digital Economy and Society Pichet Durongkaveroj, who is serving as an adviser to the programme, pointed out that Thailand will provide suggestions … [Read more...] about WEF on Digital ASEAN programme to be launched

ASEAN leaders posed together with Russian President Vladimir Putin (fifth from left) at the 3rd ASEAN-Russia Summit held in Singapore on November 14 (Photo: VNA)   Singapore (VNA) – ASEAN and Russia decided to lift their relations to strategic partnership by adopting a joint statement on Strategic Partnership at their third Russia-ASEAN Summit in Singapore on November 14. Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, other ASEAN leaders, Russian President Vladimir Putin attended the summit, which is part of the 33rd ASEAN Summit and related meetings. The ASEAN countries lauded Russia for promoting its responsible and active role to contribute to peace, stability and cooperation for mutual development in the region and effectively respond to newly emerging challenges. They expected that Russia would continue supporting the central role of the bloc and actively get involved in the efforts to foster dialogues, cooperation, trust-building, international law compliance, and common … [Read more...] about ASEAN, Russia upgrade ties to strategic partnership