US President Joe Biden is committed to lifting the nation’s ties with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to "unprecedented" levels, Daniel Kritenbrink, the US assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific affairs, said on December 8.

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the Republic of Korea (RoK) have agreed to settle difficulties in customs procedures for more effective implementation of their free trade agreement (FTA), according to the RoK’s Ministry of Economy and Finance.

The virtual 38th ASEAN Social Security Association (ASSA) Board Meeting, under the theme “Social protection in the face of digitalisation and economic uncertainties”, was held on November 25, connecting with 25 locations.

Thailand on November 12 took over the rotating chairmanship of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum from New Zealand, with Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha declaring the theme for the APEC Year 2022 as "Open. Connect. Balance." at a virtual ceremony.

Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne has announced 500 million AUD (350 million USD) to support Southeast Asian countries to adapt to climate change through better management of forests, land and agriculture.

The 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) is believed to be the world’s last, best chance to get runaway climate change under control.

Vietnam is temporarily accepting the vaccination certificates, otherwise known as “vaccine passports”, from 72 countries and territories worldwide recommended to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs via representatives.

A Vietnamese diplomat highlighted the role of women in peacekeeping and peacebuilding and underscored the need to enhance the participation of women in all political, social and economic aspects during a meeting of the UN Security Council on October 21.

Anteo Edizioni Publishing House in Italy's Reggio Emilia city has recently published the work "Ho Chi Minh voi nhung buc thu mong muon hoa binh cho Viet Nam" (Ho Chi Minh with letters wishing for peace for Vietnam).

Vietnam holds huge potential in the application and development of new technologies amid the wide utilisation of robot and artificial intelligence (AI) in daily life activities.

Ambassador Le Thi Tuyet Mai, head of the Vietnamese delegation to the High-Level Commemorative Meeting to mark the 60th Anniversary of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), has called on NAM members to enhance multilateral cooperation at both global and regional levels to raise the voice of the NAM in the international arena.

Within the region, Vietnam ranks high on economic performance, fuelled by a powerful gain of manufacturing and export capability, according to economists Shirley Shen and Aidan Yao from the Singaporean-based AXA Investment Managers Asia.