It was the first activity of the bloc this year to discuss orientations and priorities for 2021 as well as regional and global issues of shared concern. Representatives from participating countries congratulated Vietnam on successfully accomplishing its tenure as ASEAN Chair 2020, including leading the bloc in maintaining dialogues and timely and effective response to unprecedented challenges. They agreed to effectively realise reached priorities, initiatives and cooperation programmes, including accelerating the building of the ASEAN Community in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. They also expressed support to the Brunei’s theme of ASEAN Chairmanship 2021 “We Care, We Prepare, We Prosper”. Speaking at the event, Minh vowed to work closely with Brunei and other ASEAN member states to fulfill the targets and priorities set for the ASEAN Year 2021. Amid uncertain developments in the region and the world, he called on the bloc to effectively carry out initiatives as … [Read more...] about Vietnam attends ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Retreat
Mauritian prime minister
ASEAN foreign ministers discuss priorities for this year
In external affairs, they held that ASEAN would continue deepening ties with partners, as well as further improve its central role, particularly in building an open, transparent, inclusive regional architecture based on rules, frameworks and process found and led by itself, including the ASEAN+1, ASEAN+3, the ASEAN Regional Forum and the ASEAN Defence Minister’s Meeting Plus. … [Read more...] about ASEAN foreign ministers discuss priorities for this year
Vietnam to tighten border controls to prevent spread of COVID-19
Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam chairs a meeting of National Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control on Thursday. VNA/VNS Photo Doan Tan Chairing a meeting of National Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control on Thursday, Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam asked localities to strengthen disease prevention and control measures and strictly inspect said measures ahead of and during the Tet (Lunar New Year) celebrations. … [Read more...] about Vietnam to tighten border controls to prevent spread of COVID-19
Five dead in India vaccine plant fire; Covid drug unaffected
A second, smaller blaze broke out in the same building late Thursday, local media reports said. "Five people have died," city mayor Murlidhar Mohol told reporters. TV channels showed thick clouds of grey smoke billowing from the sprawling site, which is responsible for producing millions of doses of the Covishield coronavirus vaccine, developed by AstraZeneca and Oxford University. "It is not going to affect production of the Covid-19 vaccine," a Serum Institute source told AFP, adding the blaze was at a new facility being built on the 100-acre (40-hectare) campus. "We are deeply saddened and offer our deepest condolences to the family members of the departed," the firm's CEO Adar Poonawalla tweeted, without offering further details. The founder of Cyrus Poonawalla, Adar's father, said in a statement that the families of each of the five victims -- who were reported to be contract labourers -- would be given 2.5 million rupees ($34,200) in compensation. Prime Minister Narendra … [Read more...] about Five dead in India vaccine plant fire; Covid drug unaffected