Sustainable Development Goals
Lao PM’s visit to enhance bilateral partnership in 2022: Vietnamese Ambassador
The upcoming Việt Nam visit by Lao Prime Minister Phankham Viphavanh during January 8-10, the first by the Lao leader in his position, will help reinforce the bilateral ties and create motivation for their comprehensive partnership in 2022, Vietnamese Ambassador to Laos Nguyễn Bá Hùng has ...
VNS
Xi-Asean summit boosts China’s plan to upgrade Southeast Asia ties to comprehensive strategic partnership
China’s long-held plan to upgrade ties with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) to a higher tier of diplomatic recognition could come to fruition during next month’s special summit between President Xi Jinping and the bloc’s leaders, observers have said. The prime ministers of Malaysia and Singapore signalled their readiness to participate ...
Bhavan Jaipragas
End Poverty — Build a More Resilient Economy in Lao PDR
October 17 is the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, or End Poverty Day as it is often known, one of the most important days on the calendar for people working in governments and development agencies all over the world. Let me be clear: poverty ...
UN Says Poverty in Myanmar at Worst Level in 20 Years Following Coup
The UN’s top humanitarian official in Myanmar said on Thursday the country’s people are living in “a severe crisis,” with a level of poverty not seen for at least 20 years. In a virtual briefing for UN correspondents, Andrew Kirkwood said the number of people in ...
THE IRRAWADDY
Enhanced political trust key for Mekong countries to cope with challenges: Premier Li
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang urged a closer connection and stronger political mutual trust among Mekong countries amid challenges, including the uncertain world economy and the still rampant COVID-19 pandemic at the 7th Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) Leaders’ Summit held on Thursday via video conference. Experts ...
Hu Yuwei and Wan Lin
Vietnamese Facebook User Fined for ‘Fake News’ as Criticism Grows of Government’s Handling of Pandemic
Police in Vietnam’s Ho Chi Minh City have fined a local Facebook user for saying that local government has neglected city residents and let them go hungry amid lockdowns aimed at controlling the spread of COVID-19, sources said. Nguyen Thuy Duong was fined VND 5 million ...
RFA’s Vietnamese Service. Translated by Anna Vu. Written in English by Richard Finney
Heavy Job Losses in Myanmar Since Coup: ILO Report
Myanmar lost an estimated 1.2 million jobs in the second quarter following the February military coup that crippled an economy already weakened by the coronavirus pandemic, according to the International Labor Organization (ILO). “Myanmar was already facing economic stress with jobs and livelihoods under threat as ...
THE IRRAWADDY
Mekong Delta boosts sustainable development
Despite many difficulties, localities in the Mekong Delta have devoted considerable resources to education and science and technology, thus contributing to promote regional socio-economic development. However, investment in this field still faces difficulties and limitations that requires more attention to make education, science and technology become ...
‘What other country would do this to its people?’ Cambodian land grab victims seek int’l justice
“It started when some people from the government came around the community telling us that we were illegally occupying the land,” Chhae Kimsrour said in June 2020. “I’ve lived here since 1995, but six months later they came back and started filling in my lake. ...
GERALD FLYNN, PHOUNG VANTHA
OPINION: UN SDG goals boost access to justice
How do we counter massive pollution on land, at sea and in the air? How do we ensure justice for human rights defenders who are attacked when defending the environment? How do we promote more inclusion and participation in decision-making processes? The 17 United Nations-backed Sustainable ...
VITIT MUNTARBHORN