ASEAN Regional Mine Action Centre (ARMAC) concluded the final of a series of national consultative meetings in Hanoi on 16 September as part of the project to develop comprehensive and integrated approach to mine risk education that can be used throughout the region.

Supported by the Government of Japan through the Japan-ASEAN Integration Fund (JAIF), the meetings brought those affected by mines and explosive remnants of war (ERW) together to share their knowledge and experiences to raise public awareness about the danger of landmine and ERW.

Looking forward, a side event will be held during the Fourth Review Conference on a Mine-Free World on 25-29 November this year in Oslo, Norway, so as to establish a platform for ASEAN countries to form a collaborative community of MRE experts and stakeholders. Ultimately, it is hoped that through these consultative meetings, research and other activities undertaken through the project, the number of victims of mines/ERW can be minimised and in so doing the socio-economic impact of mines is reduced and sustainable development outcomes are improved.

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ASEAN stands in solidarity with the flood-affected communities in Lao PDR following the tropical storm ‘Podul’ and Tropical Depression ‘Kajiki.’ Today the ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on disaster management (AHA Centre) handed over the ASEAN relief kits comprised of family kits, personal hygiene kits, kitchen sets, mosquito nets and jerry cans intended to over 1,500 people in six provinces affected by the disaster.

In the spirit of “One ASEAN, One Response”, the AHA Centre immediately reinforced the Government’s response in the areas of coordination, information management, rapid needs assessment, and deployment of ASEAN relief items supported by the Government of Japan through its Japan-ASEAN Integration Fund (JAIF); and the Direct Relief. The Government of Malaysia provided support for airlifting the relief items; and the UN Humanitarian Response Depot in Subang, Malaysia provided ground handling support to load the relief items to the RMAF A400M aircraft.

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Sixteen Cambodian national canoe team junior representatives will visit Japan from September 17 to 25. The group participated in the tour of water sports related facilities and joint practice with the Japanese national team as a program under the theme of “sport exchange (canoeing).” They will also participate in the 15th Japan Canoe Sprint Junior Youth Komatsu Tournament and Canoe Sprint Junior Asian Championship Japan Representative Player Selection. In addition, they will share and deepen knowledge among participants at a debriefing session before returning home.

Through this program, it is expected that young people who will lead the future of Cambodia will deepen their understanding and interest in Japanese culture and become an active transmitter of Japan's charm after returning from Japan.

The JENESYS 2019 is an exchange programme for the youths of Japan and ASEAN.

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The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) family through its Jakarta-based humanitarian coordinating centre, the AHA Centre, has conveyed its solidarity with the Government of Lao PDR and the communities affected by the recent storm and floods, and has mobilised its humanitarian relief efforts. Today, the AHA Centre officially handed over ASEAN relief items, in support of the government-led response, received by Mr. Vilayphong Sisomvang, Acting Director-General of the Social Welfare Department, Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare of Lao PDR. The relief items, comprised of family kits, personal hygiene kits, kitchen sets, mosquito nets and jerry cans, were airlifted by A400M military aircraft of the Royal Malaysian Air Force, from the Disaster Emergency Logistics System for ASEAN (DELSA) regional stockpile in Subang, Malaysia. The assistance is intended for over 1,500 people in six provinces affected by the disaster.

In the spirit of “One ASEAN, One Response”, the AHA Centre immediately reinforced the Government’s response in the areas of coordination, information management, rapid needs assessment, and deployment of ASEAN relief items supported by the Government of Japan through its Japan-ASEAN Integration Fund (JAIF); and the Direct Relief. The Government of Malaysia provided support for airlifting the relief items; and the UN Humanitarian Response Depot in Subang, Malaysia provided ground handling support to load the relief items to the RMAF A400M aircraft.

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Economic Ministers from the ten ASEAN Member States and the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), Japan (“the Ministers”) met on 7 September 2019 in Bangkok, Thailand for the Twenty-Fifth AEM-METI Consultations. The Consultations were co-chaired by H.E. Jurin Laksanawisit, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce, Thailand and H.E. Hiroshige Seko, Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, Japan.

The Ministers welcomed the signing of the First Protocol to Amend the ASEAN-Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership (AJCEP) Agreement to incorporate the Chapters on Trade in Services, Movement of Natural Persons (MNP), and Investment, and looked forward to the entry into force of the Protocol.

The Ministers reviewed the progress in the implementation of the AJCEP Agreement and noted the on-going efforts on the implementation of tariff commitments under the AJCEP Agreement based on the latest HS code. The Ministers encouraged all Parties to expedite such implementation in this regard.

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