Nation achieves great successes during ASEAN Chairmanship Year

Vietnam's ASEAN Chairmanship Year has come to an end, with the nation successfully leading the association through a challenging year whilst striving to enhance its role in the region

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc speaks at the opening ceremony of the 36th ASEAN Summit

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc speaks at the opening ceremony of the 36th ASEAN Summit

Throughout the year, under the theme of “Cohesive & Responsive”, ASEAN member states reached consensus relating to measures aimed at responding to challenges, including those brought about by the impact of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

ASEAN foreign ministers participated in online meetings in early February during the initial stages of the pandemic as a means of ensuring that all members shared a common view.

A joint statement was duly issued identifying nine priorities for co-operation tasks, including the strengthening of co-ordination as a means of ensuring readiness to respond to COVID-19 and actively sharing information relating to pandemic developments.

Furthermore, ASEAN economic and defence ministers also released a joint statement on the need for partnership as part of fighting the pandemic, while an ASEAN military medical centre was also established.

Before the World Health Organisation (WHO) officially declared a pandemic in March, the nation in its role as ASEAN Chair issued a statement on the bloc’s response to COVID-19, in addition to holding several meetings to address the situation.

The country also worked to ramp up co-operation between the bloc and its partners, as well as other international organisations, in order to improve control of the spread of the epidemic.

ASEAN Secretary General Lim Lock Hoi hailed co-ordination between member countries, as well as the Vietnamese role in dealing with challenges, including those posed by COVID-19.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Thailand Don Pramudwinai, said the online Special ASEAN Summit and the Special ASEAN Plus Three Summit on COVID-19 were promptly convened in mid-April, followed by a number of online ministerial meetings between ASEAN and external partners. Holding these high-level engagements not only demonstrated the strong political will of the bloc and its external partners to collaborate for mutual benefits, but also testified to the convening power of ASEAN as a whole, he said.

Through the combined efforts of member countries over subsequent months, ASEAN leaders moved to adopt a number of initiatives aimed at tackling the risks of the pandemic at the 37th ASEAN Summit. This includes the launch of the ASEAN COVID-19 Response Fund, the ASEAN Regional Reserve of Medical Supplies (RRMS) for Public Health Emergencies, the ASEAN Strategic Framework for Public Health Emergencies, the ASEAN Comprehensive Recovery Framework (ACRF), the ASEAN Center for Public Health Emergencies and Emerging Diseases (ACPHEED), and the Declaration on an ASEAN Travel Corridor Arrangement Framework.

A network was also established in a bid to counter the spread of fake news within the bloc.

Moreover, hundreds of annual ASEAN meetings were also moved online, with 550 meetings held during the year, in addition to 20 summits, including the 36th and 37th Summits and 70 ministerial meetings. This switch was made swiftly and efficiently in an effort to ensure that agendas were fulfilled across all three fronts, including politics-security-defence, the economy, and culture and society.

A record 80 documents were granted approval, with a focus on building the ASEAN Community, promoting the mid-term review of the ASEAN Community Blueprint 2025, reviewing the ASEAN Charter, and developing an ASEAN Community Post-2025 Vision.

The joint efforts of the entire bloc in dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic served as another highlight of the nation’s chairmanship in 2020, with the spirit of leaving no one behind at the forefront of efforts.

The signing of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership in November served to boost the central role and position of ASEAN in the region and the wider world, while regional connectivity was also strengthened.

In summary, 2020 marked a momentous year with a range of complex challenges, the majority of which were caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Under the country’s Chairmanship, ASEAN has been able to deal with them in both a practical and effective manner, whilst continuing to reinforce community-building efforts in a “Cohesive & Responsive” spirit to allow the bloc to be better prepared for uncertainties in the future.

english.vov.vn

Related News

Vietnam ready to export first batch of sweet potatoes to China

Vietnam ready to export first batch of sweet potatoes to China

Vietnam’s 70 sweet potato cultivation areas and 13 packaging facilities have been licenced to export to China, reported the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD)’s Plant Protection Department.
Australian Governor-General wraps up State visit to Vietnam

Australian Governor-General wraps up State visit to Vietnam

Australian Governor-General David Hurley, his spouse and the Australian delegation left Ho Chi Minh City on April 6, wrapping up his State visit to Vietnam from April 3-6.
Vietnam a potential market for French businesses, investors: experts

Vietnam a potential market for French businesses, investors: experts

French businesses should innovate their approach, enhance their understanding of culture and language, and make changes to adapt to Vietnam's transitioning economy in order to expand their market share and boost investment in the Southeast Asian nation, said Dr. Jean-Philippe Eglinger, the founder of the Viet Phap Strategies.
Vietnam active at UN Human Rights Council’s 52nd session

Vietnam active at UN Human Rights Council’s 52nd session

The Vietnamese delegation, led by Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang, made active contributions to the agenda of the 52nd regular session of the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) that concluded in Geneva on April 4.

Latest News

Private sector remains driving force for economy

Private sector remains driving force for economy

The private business sector has been an important driving force of the economy and is expected to raise GDP contribution to 55% by 2025, a top economist told the second Private Economic Forum 2023 in Hanoi on April 2.
State visit to Vietnam by Australian Governor-General to deepen the two’s goodwill, trust: expert

State visit to Vietnam by Australian Governor-General to deepen the two’s goodwill, trust: expert

The State visit to Vietnam by Australian Governor-General David Hurley at an invitation of President Vo Van Thuong will deepen the goodwill and trust for the mutual benefit of both countries, said Dr Suiwah Leung, Honourary Associate Professor at the Australian National University’s Crawford School of Public Policy.
Vietnam"s economy to grow by 6.6% this year: OECD

Vietnam"s economy to grow by 6.6% this year: OECD

Vietnam's economy will grow by 6.6% this year and at a similar rate in 2024, according to a report released on March 31 by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).
Bright outlook for Vietnamese tourism in new situation

Bright outlook for Vietnamese tourism in new situation

Vietnam’s tourism holds a lot of potential for development, especially in the context of new favourable factors, according to an article published on the website of Lianhe Zaobao newspaper.

More News

Vietnam, US hold 12th Political, Security, Defence Dialogue

Vietnam, US hold 12th Political, Security, Defence Dialogue

The 12th Vietnam-US Political, Security and Defence Dialogue was held in Washington D.C on March 30 under the co-chair of Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Ha Kim Ngoc and US Assistant Secretary of State for Political-Military Affairs Jessica Lewis.
Vietnam calls for comprehensive, all-society approach to waste management

Vietnam calls for comprehensive, all-society approach to waste management

Minister Counselor Le Thi Minh Thoa, Deputy Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the United Nations, has called for a comprehensive and all-society approach to sustainable waste management.
Many factors support foreign capital flow

Many factors support foreign capital flow

Many factors are expected to draw cash flow back to the stock market, especially that from foreign investors.
Foreign SMEs pour capital into Vietnam

Foreign SMEs pour capital into Vietnam

Foreign small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are paying much attention to Vietnam, given the fact that the number of under-1-million USD projects accounted for nearly 70% of the total number of foreign-invested projects registered in Vietnam in the first three months of this year.
Leaders of aviation firms to be disciplined if employees committed wrongdoings

Leaders of aviation firms to be disciplined if employees committed wrongdoings

The Civil Aviation Administration of Vietnam (CAAV) has just released Directive 1480 on enhancing smuggling and commercial fraud prevention among aviation employees.
Vietnam - Lao joint border patrol held

Vietnam - Lao joint border patrol held

Border guards in the northern province of Dien Bien and Lao province of Luang Prabang have conducted a joint patrol along the shared border.
CPI increases about 4.2% in first quarter

CPI increases about 4.2% in first quarter

The consumer price index (CPI) in the first quarter of 2023 is estimated to rise 4.2-2.3% year on year, according to the Price Management Department under the Ministry of Finance.
PM orders close coordination to remove obstables to property market

PM orders close coordination to remove obstables to property market

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has just signed a document requesting more efforts to promote the development of and remove obstacles to the real estate market.
PM chairs Government meeting on law building

PM chairs Government meeting on law building

The Government convened a thematic meeting on law building under the chair of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh in Hanoi on March 27.
Read More

Your care

The system has not recorded your reading habits.

Please Login/Register so that the system can provide articles according to your reading needs.

Latest Most read
Australian Governor-General wraps up State visit to Vietnam

Australian Governor-General wraps up State visit to Vietnam

Australian Governor-General David Hurley, his spouse and the Australian delegation left Ho Chi Minh City on April 6, wrapping up his State visit to Vietnam from April 3-6.
Vietnam active at UN Human Rights Council’s 52nd session

Vietnam active at UN Human Rights Council’s 52nd session

The Vietnamese delegation, led by Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang, made active contributions to the agenda of the 52nd regular session of the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) that concluded in Geneva on April 4.
Vietnam commits to building prosperous, fair, healthy Mekong River basin: PM

Vietnam commits to building prosperous, fair, healthy Mekong River basin: PM

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh affirmed Vietnam’s commitment to cooperation in building a prosperous, fair and healthy Mekong river basin while addressing the fourth Mekong River Commission (MRC) Summit in Vientiane, Laos on April 5.
Việt Nam, US hold 12th political, security, defence dialogue

Việt Nam, US hold 12th political, security, defence dialogue

They shared their determination to maintain cooperation in clearing mines and explosives, decontaminating dioxin, supporting war-affected people in Việt Nam.
Private sector remains driving force for economy

Private sector remains driving force for economy

The private business sector has been an important driving force of the economy and is expected to raise GDP contribution to 55% by 2025, a top economist told the second Private Economic Forum 2023 in Hanoi on April 2.
Mobile Version