The plenary session of the online 36th ASEAN Summit on June 26 (Photo: VNA)KualaLumpur (VNA) – Malaysia’s news agency Bernama has run an articletitled “36th ASEAN Summit made history amid COVID-19”.
Accordingto the article, the 36th ASEAN Summit, which was held virtually for the firsttime, witnessed leaders of the member states reaffirming theircommitment for the need to further bolster cooperation in the face ofthe COVID-19 pandemic.
“Althoughrestricted by movement and space, where leaders of the grouping had not beenable to meet physically in Vietnam this time – including to performthe ASEAN tradition of crossover handshake – the meetings andinteractions had proceeded virtually and in high spirit,” it wrote.
Underthe chair of Vietnam, the one-day summit, which carried the theme “Cohesive andResponsive ASEAN”, saw leaders discussing a wide range of issues andcooperation concerning the region, with focus on the need for a comprehensivepost-pandemic recovery plan for ASEAN.
Bernama quoted PrimeMinister Nguyen Xuan Phuc in his opening remarks at the 36th ASEAN Summit assaying that ASEAN must also be prepared to deal with the challenges ahead.
He said for the latterhalf of 2020, the challenge would be for governments of the ASEAN memberstates to lead ASEAN out of this period of adversity, adding that if succeeded,it will stand as a testament to the lasting values and vitality of ASEAN Resilientand Dynamic Community.
According to PM Phuc, in addition to maintaining good control of theCOVID-19 pandemic, ASEAN should promptly repair its damage, and revitalise theeconomy and resume our economic development.
The 36th ASEAN Summit will be anoccasion for ASEAN member states to reassert our spirit of solidarity, ourstrong political will and commitment to rise above the adversities of thepandemic and keep forging ahead, he said.
The article said theSummit this time also saw the ASEAN Leaders' Special Session onWomen’s Empowerment in the Digital Age – which was to affirm theleaders commitment to promote gender equality and women’s empowerment andto enhance the role of women in building the ASEAN Community – being heldfor the first time.
The 36th summit wasinitially scheduled to be held on April 6 to 9 in Da Nang, but wasrescheduled due to COVID-19./.
VNA
