People and government
Vietnam dodged the coronavirus bullet, so why are its workers struggling?
Along a busy highway on the outskirts of Vietnam’s largest city, a worn-out looking woman carrying all her worldly possessions in a handful of plastic bags picks her way through a web of swaying hammocks, looking for one that’s empty so she can lay her ...
Sen Nguyen
Sustainability in ASEAN, a growing imperative
ASEAN was established in 1967 to advance regional cooperation, particularly economic, security and social. Its member countries have a combined population of 650 million and GDP of more than $2.5 trillion. Its immense population, comparative advantages and geographical location have led to the bloc being one of ...
Ong Bo Yang
Legislative changes, eco-tourism could curb illegal wildlife trade in Laos
A survey on wildlife market in Laos has revealed its local communities’ massive dependence on the product for food and livelihood, threatening the survival of many species in the country. Nearly 90 percent of the households confirmed using wildlife, and the majority of the population was ...
Alok Gupta
Facebook shares data on Myanmar with United Nations investigators
Facebook says it has shared data with United Nations investigators probing international crimes in Myanmar, after the lead investigator said the company was withholding evidence. A Facebook representative told Reuters on Tuesday it had given the Independent Investigative Mechanism on Myanmar (IIMM) data from pages and ...
Poppy McPherson
In Cambodia, a sweeping new environment code languishes in legal limbo
In Cambodia, the Mekong River winds past Southeast Asia’s largest remaining lowland evergreen forest before filling up Tonle Sap, the region’s largest freshwater lake. The river, lined with valuable sand, is home to an abundance of endangered species like the Mekong giant catfish and giant ...
Andrew Nachemson
Vietnam introduces eight key digital programs for 2020-25
The Ministry of Information and Communications (MIC) introduced eight core programs for the 2020-2025 period and reviewed results achieved by the information and communications (ICT) sector in the past five years at the 5th Congress of the Ministry’s Party Committee held in Hanoi on 18 August. During the 2015-2020 ...
Samaya Dharmaraj
As China’s role in Mekong grows, Asean states must weigh ties with US, other powers
Mainland Southeast Asia, especially the Mekong subregion, has become a site for renewed engagement by external powers, a trend driven by China’s proactive foreign policy as well as its promotion of the Belt and Road Initiative and minilateral forum, the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation (LMC). The United States is ...
Pongphisoot Busbarat
B1bn set aside to beat Covid
The cabinet on Tuesday approved a budget of one billion baht to support the development and manufacture of Covid-19 vaccines. The money will be used by the National Vaccine Institute and other related agencies to domestically produce vaccines that can tackle the virus as well as ...
MONGKOL BANGPRAPA
Transparency International Cambodia signed agreement with Action Aid Cambodia
Transparency International Cambodia (TI Cambodia) recently signed partnership agreements to continue its support for the Coalition of Cambodian Apparel Workers Democratic Union (CCAWDU) and the Federation of Associations for Small and Medium Enterprises of Cambodia (FASMEC). TI Cambodia continues to work with CCAWDU to empower ...
Zazithorn Ruengchinda
China promises its Mekong neighbours priority access to a coronavirus vaccine developed in China
China stepped up its vaccine diplomacy on Monday with Premier Li Keqiang promising five Southeast Asian partners priority access to a coronavirus vaccine while also pledging to share water control information for flood-hit nations along the Mekong River. Li made the remarks at a videoconference of the Lancang-Mekong ...
Keegan Elmer