Jakarta: Indonesia aims to eradicate extreme poverty by 2026, accelerating efforts to meet this target, Coordinating Minister for Community Empowerment Abdul Muhaimin Iskandar said on Friday. "We have held meetings with ministries and agencies to discuss ways to accelerate poverty and extreme poverty alleviation. The meeting follows up on the president's instruction to reduce extreme poverty to zero percent by 2026 at the latest," Iskandar told reporters in Jakarta.

According to Namibia Press Agency, Vietnam is pushing forward with plans to achieve nationwide 5G coverage by 2025, targeting urban centers, industrial zones, and key transportation hubs. The state-owned Vietnam News Agency reported that Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh emphasized the urgency of accelerating 5G commercialization and expanding broadband infrastructure as a catalyst for economic growth.

Meanwhile, South Korea's finance ministry reported a continued downturn in the economic outlook for the fourth consecutive month, citing increased uncertainties both domestically and internationally. The Ministry of Economy and Finance's monthly Green Book highlighted the impact of slowing export growth and weakened economic sentiment on the Asian economy.

In Japan, Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba faced criticism after it emerged that his office distributed gift vouchers worth 100,000 yen each to 15 Liberal Democratic Party lawmakers. Ishiba apologized, clarifying that the funds were from his own finances and intended as tokens of appreciation for the families of lawmakers elected in last October's Lower House election.