Latest news with #PNA
The Sun
11-07-2025
- Politics
- The Sun
ASEAN backs Myanmar peace efforts and Rohingya repatriation
KUALA LUMPUR: ASEAN Foreign Ministers have reaffirmed their support for Myanmar's efforts to restore peace and stability in Rakhine State, while underscoring the importance of safe and voluntary repatriation of displaced persons. In a joint communique issued at the end of the 58th ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting here, on Friday, the bloc reiterated its commitment to promoting harmony and reconciliation among all communities in Rakhine, as well as ensuring safety and security for affected populations. 'We reaffirmed ASEAN's continued support for Myanmar's efforts to promote peace, stability, and the rule of law in Rakhine State. 'We emphasised the importance of ensuring safety and security for all communities, and facilitating the voluntary return of displaced persons in a safe, secure, and dignified manner,' read the joint communique on the final day of the 58th AMM. The bloc welcomed the ongoing cooperation between Myanmar and Bangladesh, including bilateral repatriation initiatives for verified displaced persons from Rakhine. 'We look forward to ASEAN's continued facilitation of the repatriation process, particularly through the implementation of projects as a follow-up to the recommendations of the Preliminary Needs Assessment (PNA),' it stated. It added that ASEAN hopes conditions will soon allow for a Comprehensive Needs Assessment (CNA), and encouraged the ASEAN Secretary-General to continue identifying potential areas where the bloc can effectively contribute to the repatriation process. Today marks the last day of the 58th AMM and related meetings held from July 8 to July 11, under Malaysia's ASEAN Chairmanship for 2025, with the theme 'Inclusivity and Sustainability'. More than 1,500 delegates from ASEAN and its external partners participated in 24 ministerial-level meetings over four days. - Bernama
The Star
11-07-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Asean reaffirms support for Myanmar peace efforts, Timor-Leste's bloc membership
KUALA LUMPUR: Asean Foreign Ministers have reaffirmed their support for Myanmar's efforts to restore peace and stability in its Rakhine state, while underscoring the importance of safe and voluntary repatriation of displaced persons. In a joint communique issued at the end of the 58th Asean Foreign Ministers' Meeting here, on Friday, the bloc reiterated its commitment to promoting harmony and reconciliation among all communities in Rakhine, as well as ensuring safety and security for affected populations. "We reaffirmed Asean's continued support for Myanmar's efforts to promote peace, stability, and the rule of law in Rakhine State. "We emphasised the importance of ensuring safety and security for all communities, and facilitating the voluntary return of displaced persons in a safe, secure, and dignified manner," read the joint communique on the final day of the 58th AMM here on Friday (July 11). The bloc welcomed the ongoing cooperation between Myanmar and Bangladesh, including bilateral repatriation initiatives for verified displaced persons from Rakhine. "We look forward to Asean's continued facilitation of the repatriation process, particularly through the implementation of projects as a follow-up to the recommendations of the Preliminary Needs Assessment (PNA)," it stated. It added that Asean hopes conditions will soon allow for a Comprehensive Needs Assessment (CNA), and encouraged the Asean Secretary-General to continue identifying potential areas where the bloc can effectively contribute to the repatriation process. Today marks the last day of the 58th AMM and related meetings held from July 8 to 11, under Malaysia's Asean Chairmanship for 2025, with the theme 'Inclusivity and Sustainability'. More than 1,500 delegates from Asean and its external partners participated in 24 ministerial-level meetings over four days. Asean also reaffirmed its commitment to admitting Timor-Leste as the 11th member at the 47th Asean Summit in October, in line with the decision made at the 46th Summit. Ministers expressed their commitment to supporting Timor-Leste in expediting its early accession to key Asean economic agreements to facilitate its full integration into the regional bloc. "We look forward to Timor-Leste fulfilling its roles and obligations as an incoming member state and its commitment to upholding Asean's fundamental principles," the statement read. In addition, ministers commended Timor-Leste's active participation as an Observer in Asean meetings and its commitment to full membership, as well as its efforts to fulfil all criteria under the Roadmap for Timor-Leste's Full Membership in Asean. "We encouraged Timor-Leste to continue accelerating its institutional capacities and deepening engagement with all Asean Sectoral Bodies to carry out the obligations of Asean membership," it said. The bloc has further encouraged continued efforts by Timor-Leste to align its domestic policies, processes, and frameworks with Asean agreements and frameworks, in promoting a smooth and effective integration process. "We looked forward to Timor-Leste's meaningful contribution to the implementation of the Asean 2045: Our Shared Future, noting that Timor-Leste's efforts towards Asean integration will help strengthen Asean's resilience, inclusivity, and sustainability," it said. The bloc also welcomed the operationalisation of the Timor-Leste Unit at the Asean Secretariat, which will serve as a vital mechanism to facilitate its integration into Asean structures and processes and to support and monitor the country's full implementation of the Roadmap. "We encouraged continued engagement and support from Asean Member States to facilitate Timor-Leste's transition towards Asean membership, as well as its continued efforts to fulfil the Roadmap following its admission to Asean," it added. The full joint communique dated July 9 can be accessed here. – Bernama
The Sun
25-06-2025
- Business
- The Sun
No significant impact on Philippine economy from Iran-Israel conflict
MANILA: Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr has assured that the ongoing tensions in the Middle East have had 'no significant effect' on the Philippine economy, though the government is closely monitoring for potential price manipulation, Philippines News Agency (PNA) reported. Speaking to reporters in Tarlac on Wednesday, Marcos said the impact of the Iran-Israel conflict remains manageable, based on assessments made during a meeting with his economic team at Malacañang on Tuesday. 'So far, there is no effect. No significant effect on the economy,' he said. Marcos, however, noted that the government is on alert for price gouging, citing instances of unjustified price increases despite stable oil prices. 'We're monitoring price gouging, because I've seen many prices going up even though oil prices haven't increased. That's our focus now,' he added. He acknowledged that while the crisis in the oil-rich region could potentially affect global prices, crude oil had declined to US$69 from US$79 following the ceasefire agreement between Iran and Israel. Asked whether fuel subsidies would be extended to public utility drivers and other sectors despite the drop in prices, Marcos said such assistance would only be considered if prices surge. 'If prices don't increase, then there's no need for subsidies. We're not referring to aid but to targeted subsidies, which will only be triggered if oil prices rise,' he explained. Marcos stressed that for now, it remains 'business as usual' for the country. 'The price of oil hasn't gone up. It rose for a day and then came back down. So we don't need to talk about subsidies yet,' he said.
New Straits Times
25-06-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
No significant impact on Philippine economy from Iran-Israel conflict: Marcos
MANILA: Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr has assured that the ongoing tensions in the Middle East have had "no significant effect" on the Philippine economy, though the government is closely monitoring for potential price manipulation, Philippines News Agency (PNA) reported. Speaking to reporters in Tarlac on Wednesday, Marcos said the impact of the Iran-Israel conflict remains manageable, based on assessments made during a meeting with his economic team at Malacañang on Tuesday. "So far, there is no effect. No significant effect on the economy," he said. Marcos, however, noted that the government is on alert for price gouging, citing instances of unjustified price increases despite stable oil prices. "We're monitoring price gouging, because I've seen many prices going up even though oil prices haven't increased. That's our focus now," he added. He acknowledged that while the crisis in the oil-rich region could potentially affect global prices, crude oil had declined to US$69 from US$79 following the ceasefire agreement between Iran and Israel. Asked whether fuel subsidies would be extended to public utility drivers and other sectors despite the drop in prices, Marcos said such assistance would only be considered if prices surge. "If prices don't increase, then there's no need for subsidies. We're not referring to aid but to targeted subsidies, which will only be triggered if oil prices rise," he explained. Marcos stressed that for now, it remains "business as usual" for the country. "The price of oil hasn't gone up. It rose for a day and then came back down. So we don't need to talk about subsidies yet," he said.
RNZ News
18-06-2025
- Politics
- RNZ News
Reinforcing the links between the law and Pacific fisheries' sectors
The Judicial Symposium 2025 opened on Wednesday in Honiara, bringing together Regional Chief Justices of Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands and Tuvalu. Photo: Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency Justice experts and fisheries officials from throughout the Pacific are gathered in Honiara in Solomon Islands to discuss the importance of links between the two sectors. According to the Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA), tuna fisheries is worth $2 to $3 billion per year in the national waters of its Pacific Island member nations. The Judicial Symposium has the theme "Recent Developments in International Fisheries Law". Solomons Chief Justice Sir Albert Palmer told the delegates the meeting is a platform "to reinforce our collective responsibility, deepen our regional legal coherence, and inspire judicial innovation in the face of emerging environmental and legal complexities." The Parties to the Nauru Agreement Office oversees a successful model of fisheries management. Photo: Facebook/PNA Tuna FFA director general Noan Pakop highlighted the importance of strong judicial systems in protecting the Pacific's tuna fisheries. He said "too often, discussions on fisheries management emphasise the roles of scientists or negotiators. But it is our courts that deliver rulings which not only resolve disputes but also create enduring legal precedent." "The law is the compass by which we navigate the stewardship of our ocean. And our judiciary is the anchor that ensures our course remains just, consistent, and resilient." Delegates are exploring key international legal instruments such as the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), coastal and flag State obligations, enforcement challenges, responses to Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing, and climate change. The FFA said the Judicial Symposium is part of its long-standing commitment to support robust legal and institutional frameworks in the region.
