Latest news with #ASCC
Malaysian Reserve
13-07-2025
- Business
- Malaysian Reserve
ASEAN commends Malaysia for initiating ASEAN Year of Skills 2025 programme
By FARAH SOLHI ASEAN member states commend Malaysia for initiating the ASEAN Year of Skills 2025 (AYOS2025), a programme deemed as strategic effort to equip the ASEAN workforce with future-ready skills. In a joint communiqué, the bloc acknowledged AYOS2025 for its objective to assist and prepare the people of ASEAN with skills to adapt to changing labour markets and drive sustainable growth in workforce within the region. The programme is also a platform to exchange best practices and lessons learnt on ASEAN and regional skill standards, training curriculum, skills, assessment and certification. 'This aligned with ASEAN Guiding Principles for Quality Assurance and Recognition of Competency Certification Systems,' ASEAN ministers said in the joint statement. They also welcomed the ongoing efforts to expand Artificial Intelligence (AI)-driven training and upskilling programmes for green jobs. This includes through the ASEAN Green Jobs Forum that will be held on Aug 27 and 28 this year in Malaysia. 'We have looked through the adoption of the ASEAN Ministerial Statement and Action Plan for Green Jobs Promotion in the Labour Sector. 'We supported the provision of technical assistance on AI training for ASEAN member states,' they said. The AYOS2025 is organised by the Human Resources Ministry together with its agencies and departments in collaboration with the International Labour Organisation (ILO) to spearhead training and skills initiatives. The bloc also commended the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC) efforts in strengthening data-driven platforms and evidence-based decision making through their Database for Monitoring and Evaluation (ADME) System. The system, they said, supports strategic planning and the effective implementation of ASCC initiatives. The ministers acknowledged the ASCC Research and Development (R&D) Platforms Programmes contribution in promoting evidence-based policies and strengthening cross-sectoral decision-making. 'We welcome the launch of the ASCC R&D Platform on the Care Economy which will examine the valuation of care work and the development of sustainable care policies. 'We also welcome the substantive progress made in advancing the ASEAN Creative Economy, including the establishment of the ASEAN Creative Economy Sustainability Framework,' they said. This Framework, the communiqué said, provides guidance for the development of inclusive, resilient, and sustainable cultural and creative industries across the region. Meanwhile, the bloc emphasised the potential of cultural heritage to promote economic growth, social cohesion, cultural preservation and sustainability, and looked forward to the adoption of the Melaka Declaration on Cultural Heritage Value Creation. Moreover, the member states acknowledge the ASEAN Ministers Responsible for Information (AMRI) efforts in their ongoing development of Guidelines for Safe and Responsible Use of Social Media Platforms for ASEAN. 'We acknowledge AMRI's efforts in developing a successor Work Plan for Information and Media (2026-2035), and the ASEAN Communication Master Plan III (ACMP III) (2026-2030) to align with the ASEAN 2045: Our Shared Future adopted in May 2025. 'We acknowledge their commitment to transform the media's role to strengthen ASEAN's cohesion and mutual understanding, and enhance cooperation in combating fake news and disinformation. 'In this regard, we welcome the adoption of the Bandar Seri Begawan Declaration to Reaffirm AMRI's Commitment to Strategic Progress in Media and Information.' On the issues related to migrants, the member states reaffirmed their commitment to protect and promote migrant workers' rights throughout the entire migration cycle. 'We recognise the significant impact of the migration and development nexus, on the livelihood and welfare of the present and future generations of the ASEAN Community. 'We acknowledged the need to address migration issues in order to achieve ASEAN goals,' they said.
Malaysian Reserve
12-07-2025
- Politics
- Malaysian Reserve
ASEAN boosts social resilience with focus on skills, climate, and care economy
by AUFA MARDHIAH ASEAN is stepping up efforts to build a more inclusive and people-centred region by investing in human development, health, culture and climate resilience under the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC) pillar. In a joint communiqué following the 58th ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting, the bloc reaffirmed its focus on data-driven policymaking and collaboration across sectors. This includes the rollout of a new platform on the care economy. 'It will explore the valuation of care work, the implications of demographic shifts, and the development of sustainable care policies,' it said. Ministers also expressed strong support for growing ASEAN's cultural and creative economy. They welcomed the new sustainability framework for creative industries and looked forward to adopting the Melaka Declaration. 'Cultural heritage has the potential to promote economic growth, social cohesion, cultural preservation and sustainability,' it said. Addressing the growing concerns over disinformation, ASEAN reiterated its commitment to building a safer digital environment. The communiqué noted regional efforts to 'strengthen ASEAN's cohesion and mutual understanding, enhance cooperation in combating fake news and disinformation, and promote the safe and responsible use of social media platforms.' On future skills, Malaysia is leading the ASEAN Year of Skills 2025. The region is also expanding green jobs training and preparing a ministerial action plan to help workers adapt to rapid changes in labour markets, especially through AI and sustainability-focused upskilling. The bloc also reaffirmed its commitment to protecting migrant workers, pledging to promote fair recruitment and better reintegration systems, while acknowledging 'the principle of shared and balanced responsibilities of the receiving and sending ASEAN Member States.' Health security remained a priority, with ASEAN aiming to improve regional drug and vaccine self-reliance under the ASEAN Declaration of Commitment on Drug Security and Self-Reliance. It also supported wider access to diagnostics and efforts to tackle malnutrition and ageing through nutrition plans and active ageing strategies. On disaster preparedness, ASEAN committed to strengthening the ASEAN Agreement on Disaster Management and Emergency Response (AADMER) framework and continuing humanitarian support through the AHA Centre. Ministers commended the centre's rapid response following the March 2025 earthquake in Myanmar. 'It played a vital role in coordinating humanitarian assistance, supporting and facilitating relief operations, and ensuring timely and effective humanitarian response,' they said. The communiqué also emphasised stronger regional climate action, including the operationalisation of the ASEAN Centre for Climate Change and preparing a joint statement ahead of COP30. 'We reaffirmed our collective commitment to jointly addressing the global challenge of climate change,' it said. Other focus areas include gender equality, disability inclusion, child protection and rural development. The ASEAN Villages Network and the One Village One Product initiative were highlighted as efforts to reduce urban-rural disparities and boost community-based growth. The bloc is also preparing a declaration on future-ready public service, aiming to make ASEAN governance more digital, ethical and people-centric. These efforts reflect ASEAN's long-term vision for a united, resilient and sustainable community by 2045.
RNZ News
09-07-2025
- Health
- RNZ News
American Samoa declares dengue outbreak
Photo: 123RF American Samoa's Department of Health has declared a dengue fever outbreak, with six confirmed cases. This follows the discovery of the disease last week in travelers returning to the territory. Territorial epidemiologist Adam Konrote told a press conference on Wednesday - streamed on the government-owned KVZK TV - that four of the confirmed cases were imported, but the two newest ones were locally acquired. "The two most recent cases had no travel history, confirming that dengue virus transmission is now happening within the community," he said. "This is a serious development and requires immediate coordinated action from both health authorities and the public." Dengue is not spread from person to person but through the bite of infected mosquitoes. Travellers returning from Fiji, Samoa or Tonga, which have previously declared outbreaks , are advised to monitor their health for up to 14 days for any symptoms of dengue. ASCC entomologist Dr Mark Schmaedick said there are 12 species of mosquito in American Samoa, but only two of them are known to carry dengue fever. "These are the black-and-white patterned mosquitoes that you see coming around to bite you in the day time. "Generally these species don't feed at night." Schmaedick said dengue-carrying mosquitoes tend to develop in habitats of water-holding containers, such as buckets, tyres and ice cream containers. He said they are not strong flyers and tend to stay close to where they hatched.
Gulf Today
02-07-2025
- Business
- Gulf Today
GCAA convenes ASCC 2025 to advance regulatory innovation
The General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) hosted the Aviation Safety Consultative Conference (ASCC) 2025 at Jumeirah Creekside Hotel in Dubai, bringing together key aviation stakeholders from across the UAE under the theme 'Regulatory Innovation and Operational Excellence.' The conference served as a dynamic platform for sharing insights, strategies, and regulatory updates that aim to enhance aviation safety standards in line with the UAE Vision 2031. 'ASCC 2025 reflects our collective ambition to lead through collaboration, innovation, and regulatory agility,' said Eng. Aqeel Al Zarouni, Assistant Director General of the Aviation Safety Affairs Sector at GCAA: 'Together with our industry partners, we continue to build a proactive safety culture that supports sustainable aviation growth for the UAE and beyond.'Key announcements included the release of (Safety Decision 2025-01), which addresses fatigue management in the aviation maintenance environment. The agenda also covered critical topics such as EVTOL operations, AI-powered compliance systems, weather resilience, emergency preparedness, Acceptable Level of Safety Performance (ALoSP), and Flight and Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) variations. Participants received important updates on aircrew licensing, training oversight, non-technical competencies, and passenger behaviour management, in addition to enhancements in CAR-AIR OPS regulations and e-service platforms. The conference also featured a call to action for industry-wide participation in the upcoming (Safety Marathon 2025). With contributions from leading experts across the UAE aviation sector, ASCC 2025 reaffirmed the country's strategic commitment to innovation-driven oversight, fostering a proactive safety culture and promoting sustainable aviation development. Meanwhile the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) has issued the world's first regulatory framework for hybrid operations, enabling both electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing aircraft (eVTOLs) and conventional helicopters to operate interchangeably on the same infrastructure. This innovative regulatory framework represents a significant leap in integrating Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) solutions into existing aviation systems. It offers a cost-effective model for infrastructure development, accelerates operational readiness, and aligns with the UAE government's directives to implement high-efficiency, non-bureaucratic solutions across various sectors. Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi, Director-General of the GCAA, said, 'The UAE has always been at the forefront of excellence in aviation. This pioneering regulatory framework does not merely enable new technology; it redefines how aviation evolves. It reflects our commitment to innovation in developing a supportive ecosystem for the growth of this vital sector and a future where advanced air mobility is seamlessly integrated into our national infrastructure.' The hybrid operations framework results from close collaboration with international partners in the advanced air mobility sector and is fully aligned with the UAE's national vision for sustainability, smart mobility, and optimized infrastructure use. By enabling dual-use between conventional helicopter pads and electric vertical takeoff and landing pads, this initiative helps accelerate implementation timelines, optimises infrastructure utilisation, and cements the UAE's position as a leader in fostering an integrated ecosystem supporting the future of aviation. Aqeel Al Zarouni, Assistant Director-General for Aviation Safety Affairs at the GCAA, said that this framework is a strategic enabler, not only for new modes of transport but for a smarter, more flexible regulatory environment that keeps pace with emerging technologies without compromising safety standards. Meanwhile in May General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) has concluded the 64th annual conference of the International Federation of Air Traffic Controllers' Associations (IFATCA) in Abu Dhabi, marking the first time the event has been hosted in the Middle East. The UAE contributed six technical papers, highlighting national priorities in artificial intelligence, training and airspace innovation. The conference welcomed 690 participants representing 98 associations. Ahmed Ibrahim Al Jallaf, Assistant Director-General of the Air Navigation Services Sector at the GCAA, told the Emirates News Agency (WAM) that the UAE's submissions received wide acclaim and addressed integration of AI in air traffic control, modern training frameworks, zero-bureaucracy management, and advanced technologies adopted as global best practices. Recommendations from these papers were adopted into IFATCA's agenda, with one paper set to be developed as a global case study.
Al Etihad
01-07-2025
- Business
- Al Etihad
GCAA Convenes Aviation Safety Consultative Conference to Advance Regulatory Innovation
1 July 2025 15:12 DUBAI (ALETIHAD)The General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) hosted the Aviation Safety Consultative Conference (ASCC) 2025 at Jumeirah Creekside Hotel in Dubai, bringing together key aviation stakeholders from across the UAE under the theme 'Regulatory Innovation and Operational Excellence.'The conference served as a dynamic platform for sharing insights, strategies, and regulatory updates that aim to enhance aviation safety standards in line with the UAE Vision Director General of the Aviation Safety Affairs Sector at GCAA, Eng. Aqeel Al Zarouni, said, 'ASCC 2025 reflects our collective ambition to lead through collaboration, innovation, and regulatory agility.' 'Together with our industry partners, we continue to build a proactive safety culture that supports sustainable aviation growth for the UAE and beyond.'Key announcements included the release of (Safety Decision 2025-01), which addresses fatigue management in the aviation maintenance environment. The agenda also covered critical topics such as EVTOL operations, AI-powered compliance systems, weather resilience, emergency preparedness, Acceptable Level of Safety Performance (ALoSP), and Flight and Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) received important updates on aircrew licensing, training oversight, non-technical competencies, and passenger behaviour management, in addition to enhancements in CAR-AIR OPS regulations and e-service platforms. The conference also featured a call to action for industry-wide participation in the upcoming Safety Marathon 2025. With contributions from leading experts across the UAE aviation sector, ASCC 2025 reaffirmed the country's strategic commitment to innovation-driven oversight, fostering a proactive safety culture and promoting sustainable aviation development.
