Party General Secretary and State President Nguyen Phu Trong delivers the welcome remarks at the opening ceremony of the 37th ASEAN Summit (Photo: VNA)Hanoi (VNA) – The 37th ASEANSummit and Related Summits kicked off virtually in Hanoi on November 12, withParty General Secretary and State President Nguyen Phu Trong attending.
Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and NationalAssembly Chairwoman and Chair of the 41st General Assembly of theASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA 41) Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan were alsopresent at the opening ceremony.
In his welcome remarks, Party General Secretary andState President Trong said in 2020, ASEAN member countries have shown theirwill, resolve and efforts to overcome a range of difficulties and challenges.
He commended the grouping’s cohesive and responsive spirit of ASEAN in COVID-19prevention and control, and the settlement of its consequences, saying publicconfidence in governments’ capacity to handle diseases has improved.
Party General Secretary and State President Nguyen Phu Trong delivers the welcome remarks (Photo: VNA)ASEAN has gained successes in maintaining activities as well as its role andposition over the past years, the top leader said, noting that partners havecontinued to attach importance to and support the grouping’s centrality.
Given huge human and property losses caused by natural disasters and diseases, hecalled on ASEAN leaders to put forth more drastic and effective measures towell control new COVID-19 infections, revive the economy, stabilise lives andensure social welfare for all regions and people of countries.
“Establishing a suitable foothold for ASEAN in the post-pandemic world is amajor matter,” he said. “The strong wish and will to maintain a peaceful,stable and united region in line with international law should continue to be acore value of Southeast Asia and the ASEAN Community.”
In the new context, the ASEAN countries need to display their mettle andactively coordinate to materialise recovery initiatives and plans, with new,result-oriented operation and cooperation methods.
The values of regional dialogue and cooperation frameworks with ASEAN holdingthe central role should be brought into full play, the Party and State leadersaid, stressing that ASEAN would contribute more actively and effectively toefforts to promote multilateral cooperation and international law, andconsolidate the international multilateral system with the United Nations asthe core.
On this occasion, he laid emphasis on Vietnam’s policy of maintainingindependence, self-reliance, multilateralism and diversification of externalrelations, being a trustworthy friend and partner and an active and responsiblemember of the international community, striving for peace, cooperation anddevelopment.
As ASEAN 2020 Chair, Vietnam treasures the solidarity and valuable support ofother member countries, ASEAN’s partners and friends to help the groupingfirmly overcome challenges, maintain connectivity, build the ASEAN communityand consolidate the bloc’s centrality, thus building a Southeast Asian regionof peace, friendship, cooperation, neutrality and stability.
Delivering the opening speech, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc pointed outchallenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and natural disasters that would“sweep away” social progress and economic achievements built up for tens ofdecades, and it will take countries many years to overcome these losses.
Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc delivers the opening remarks (Photo: VNA)The Governments of ASEAN member countries have united and acted together sincevery first days, he said, adding that ASEAN leaders and partners made strongcommitments during the Special ASEAN Summit and ASEAN 3 Special Summit onCOVID-19 that were held in mid-April when the pandemic began to break out, inthe spirit of cohesiveness and responsiveness.
During the 36th ASEAN Summit in June 2020, the ASEAN membercountries took stronger actions at both national and regional levels. The ASEANCOVID-19 Response Fund announced at this summit received up to 10 million USDin aid.
At the 37th ASEAN Summit, the ASEAN member countries are expected toestablish a regional reserve of medical supplies that enables rapid response toemergency needs and standard procedures in response to pandemics.
With the support of Japan, the grouping agreed to form the ASEAN centre forpublic health emergencies and emerging diseases, PM Phuc said, noting thatthese cooperation outcomes are significant to improving capacity for respondingto medical emergencies and disease risks in the future.
The leader stressed that the pandemic has failed to hinder the process of theASEAN Community as cooperation in the three pillars has completed the progressset in the master plans for the ASEAN Community Vision 2025.
He stressed the need to raise institutional capacity as well as the capacity toeffectively operate the ASEAN apparatus in order to adapt to the requirementsof the new situation.
Reviewing the implementation of the ASEAN Charter is a need, and the leaderswill look at this important task during the 37th Summit, he said.
In realising the dual tasks of containing thepandemic and promoting recovery, the leaders will officially approve the ASEANComprehensive Recovery Framework and a detailed implementation plan for all ofthe three pillars.
Efforts have been made to promptly step up plans maintaining production andsupply chains, enhance connectivity and restore trade in the region. Meanwhile,a safe travel framework for businesses and investors have been formed amidstCOVID-19.
“Firstly, we would consider resuming a common route for ASEAN citizens atborder gates,” he suggested.
Emphasising the risks to global peace and security, PM Phuc said ASEAN hasconsistently maintained its balanced and harmonious approach, as well as itscentrality.
He lauded the statement issued by ASEAN Foreign Ministers on the occasion ofthe 53rd anniversary of the association that has affirmed theresolve to maintain a Southeast Asian region of peace, security, stability andneutrality.
At the same time, the bloc has demonstrated its consistent stance andprinciples, and strong commitments to building the East Sea – a major maritimeroute of the region and the globe – into an area of peace, stability, securityand safety for the free circulation of goods.|
The East Sea is the area where differences and disputes should be addressed bypeaceful measures, law is respected and observed, and common values areconfirmed, the PM stressed.
“We are looking forward to soon completing an effective and efficient Code ofConduct in the East Sea, in line with international law, including the 1982United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.”
The leader also talked about the first-ever ASEAN Women Leaders’ Summit whererepresentatives of female leaders will raise their voice on women’s role inpromoting sustainable development in the post-pandemic world.
He suggested ASEAN focus resources and efforts at the highest level to driveback the pandemic, soon produce COVID-19 vaccines and have effective treatmentmethods, while improving medical preventive capacity in order to respond topublic health emergencies and protect the public’s health and life at the best.
It is a must to intensify measures to help enterprises restore production andbusiness, and create jobs and livelihoods for people, he noted.
Efforts have been made to promptly step up plans maintaining production andsupply chains, enhance connectivity and restore trade in the region. Meanwhile,a safe travel framework for businesses and investors have been formed amidstCOVID-19.
“Firstly, we would consider resuming a common route for ASEAN citizens atborder gates,” he suggested.
Emphasising the risks to global peace and security, PM Phuc said ASEAN hasconsistently maintained its balanced and harmonious approach, as well as itscentrality.
He lauded the statement issued by ASEAN Foreign Ministers on the occasion ofthe 53rd anniversary of the association that has affirmed theresolve to maintain a Southeast Asian region of peace, security, stability andneutrality.
At the same time, the bloc has demonstrated its consistent stance andprinciples, and strong commitments to building the East Sea – a major maritimeroute of the region and the globe – into an area of peace, stability, securityand safety for the free circulation of goods.|
The East Sea is the area where differences and disputes should be addressed bypeaceful measures, law is respected and observed, and common values areconfirmed, the PM stressed.
“We are looking forward to soon completing an effective and efficient Code ofConduct in the East Sea, in line with international law, including the 1982United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.”
The leader also talked about the first-ever ASEAN Women Leaders’ Summit whererepresentatives of female leaders will raise their voice on women’s role inpromoting sustainable development in the post-pandemic world.
He suggested ASEAN focus resources and efforts at the highest level to driveback the pandemic, soon produce COVID-19 vaccines and have effective treatmentmethods, while improving medical preventive capacity in order to respond topublic health emergencies and protect the public’s health and life at the best.
It is a must to intensify measures to help enterprises restore production andbusiness, and create jobs and livelihoods for people, he noted.
PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc chairs the plenary session of the 37th ASEAN Summit via video conference (Photo: VNA)ASEAN councils need to promptly implement the ASEAN Comprehensive RecoveryFramework and the implementation plan right after this summit, he requested.
ASEAN also needs to establish its position given the shift of economic andpolitical strength between countries as well as the adjustment of the globalproduction and supply chain, he proposed.
The leader said the equal and sustainable development is of specialsignificance to the ASEAN Community building, especially at a time whendiseases and natural disasters are threatening the regional growth.
Peace and stability are the prerequisite conditionsfor recovery and development. Meanwhile, ASEAN identities, solidarity and unityneed to be carried forward in this tough time, he stressed.
Concluding his speech, PM Phuc believed with its solidarity and self-resilience,ASEAN will firmly overcome challenges, towards a wealthy and prosperous lifefor more than 600 million people, effectively contributing to peace, stabilityand development in the region and the world.
Founded in 1967, ASEAN groups 10member countries, namely Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar,the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam./.
VNA
