Heads of delegations of ASEAN member countries pose for a group photo (Photo: VNA)Hanoi (VNA) – The DefenceMinisters of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) have issued ajoint statement on defence cooperation against disease outbreaks.
The following is the full text ofthe Joint Statement:
WE, the Defence Ministers of theMember States of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) met in HaNoi, Socialist Republic of Viet Nam on 19 February 2020; NOTING with graveconcern the current outbreak of severe respiratory illness caused by theCoronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), which affects the well-being of ourpeople, the economic development as well as regional security and stability;
RECOGNISING the declaration bythe World Health Organization (WHO) on 30 January 2020 that the situation is a“public health emergency of international concern” (PHEIC);
ENHANCING institutional and humancapacities and approaches to support the effective implementation of policies,strategies and programmes in preparing and responding to all health-related hazardsand emerging threats;
EXTENDING our deepest sympathies to thecountries, communities and individuals impacted by the outbreak;
NOTING the effective efforts byASEAN Member States in coping with COVID-19 to protect their citizens in theirrespective countries; share and value the efforts of the Government of thePeople’s Republic of China in dealing with the COVID-19 outbreak, in which theChinese Ministry of National Defence plays an important part;
REAFFIRMING the Chairman’sStatement on ASEAN collective response to the outbreak of COVID-19 on 15February 2020;
ACKNOWLEDGINGthe work of ASEAN in dealing with COVID-19 through the ASEAN CoordinatingCouncil (ACC), including the ongoing measures being undertaken by the ASEANHealth sector;
APPLAUDINGViet Nam’s proactive, thorough and effective preparation for ASEAN 2020,including taking preventive measures against COVID-19;
COMMENDINGthe healthcare personnel who are at the frontlines of fighting the outbreak;
ACKNOWLEDGINGthat regional and international collaboration is required to deal with theeffects of the outbreaks, which are unpredictable;
REAFFIRMINGour commitment to promote defence cooperation, including in military medicinecooperation and information sharing to ensure a peaceful, safe and stableenvironment; and emphasise the importance of ASEAN unity and solidarity inresponse to the disease that may harm the people of ASEAN;
ENCOURAGEDby the strong collaboration among ASEAN, including the ASEAN Center forMilitary Medicine, ASEAN Chiefs of Military Medicine Conference, ASEAN MilitaryMedicine Conference, and the Network of ASEAN Chemical, Biological andRadiological Defence Experts as well as the cooperation with our externalpartners within the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus) Experts’Working Group on Military Medicine;
EXEMPLIFYINGthe spirit of a Cohesive and Responsive ASEAN Community in times of crisis andCOMMITTING to doing our part, and staying united to overcome the COVID-19outbreak for the benefit of the people of ASEAN;
WEHEREBY RESOLVE TO:
1.ENHANCE practical cooperation among ASEAN defence establishments to organiseinformation and best practice sharing activities, and with our externalpartners, bilaterally or multilaterally including considering to conduct atabletop exercise within the framework of the ASEAN Center of MilitaryMedicine, which Viet Nam is ready to host at the earliest opportunity indealing with COVID-19;
2.LEVERAGE the Network of ASEAN Chemical, Biological and Radiological DefenceExperts to enhance professional linkages, and promote scientific cooperation tomanage infectious disease outbreaks;
3.ENCOURAGE new initiatives and ways of cooperation contributing to ASEAN’soverall efforts to counter fake news regarding the COVID-19 outbreak and ensureour people are well informed of the situation;
4.COOPERATE proactively with other relevant sectoral bodies of ASEAN in tacklingthe COVID-19 in the spirit of ASEAN’s solidarity, and with other countries inthe region and the world;
5. DOour part for public health and social cohesion by supporting the efforts of ourrespective national health authorities as well as utilising ASEAN’s regionalhealth mechanisms for coordination and cooperation in response to this emergingpublic health threat;
6.REMAIN resolutely committed to doing our part, and staying united to overcomethe COVID-19 outbreak for the benefit of the people of ASEAN./.
VNA
