Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and delegates at a ceremony in Hanoi on January 6 to launch Vietnam’s 2020 ASEAN Chairmanship (Photo: VNA)Hanoi (VNA) – Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phucchaired a ceremony in Hanoi on January 6 to launch Vietnam’s 2020 ASEAN Chairmanship,with about 300 distinguished guests taking part.
Speaking at the event, PM Phuc said throughout its 25 yearsof ASEAN membership, Vietnam has always made active and responsiblecontributions to ASEAN cooperation. In 2020, Vietnam assumes majorresponsibilities at the regional and international levels, notably the ASEANChairmanship. Such a responsibility gives Vietnam an opportunity to contributemore substantively to the building and growth of a harmonious, resilient,innovative, cohesive, responsible and adaptive ASEAN Community.
Previously a region of strife and differences, ASEAN hasbecome a united group of independent countries enjoying great progress andgrowth, where 650 million people call home. The grouping is ranked as the thirdmost dynamic economy in the world, boasting a total gross domestic product of 2.95trillion USD in 2018. ASEAN has signed six free trade agreements with seven toppartners in the world, thus reinforcing its centrality in the regionalarchitecture. These achievements have earned ASEAN the recognition of majorpowers and partners in the world.
As the ASEAN 2020 Chair, Vietnam will build on theachievements and the efforts of previous ASEAN Chairs and work with fellowmembers in identifying future directions for the ASEAN Community until 2025 andbeyond, he said.
He added that peace, stability, solidarity, unity, prosperityand sustainability will remain the purpose, the identity and the overarchinggoal of the ASEAN Community. These values pave the way for ASEAN to forge foritself a new image, new standing and new role in the spirit of making activeand responsible contributions to dialogue and cooperation at the global level.
Secondly, the ASEAN Community will foster seamlessconnectivity and deepen integration within and beyond the region, on the basisof innovation, stability and the growing influence of the Fourth IndustrialRevolution upon the social and economic life of the entire community. The ASEANCommunity will serve as a model of circular economy, endowed with new vigor.
Thirdly, the ASEAN Community will become more resilientthrough effective climate change adaptation and response, and better managementof natural disasters, pollution and plastic waste. It will become a liveableplace, with a burgeoning network of smart cities and strong social welfare. It willpossess a high-quality workforce in the digital era through quality educationalsystem and strategies for sustainable development and equal opportunity forall, so as to leave no one behind.
Fourthly, its fundamental documents enable the organs ofASEAN Community to maintain sensible, effective and vigorous operation andbetter serve the ASEAN Community and its people.
To realise these aspirations and foster the future together,he called on each member and every citizen to make every effort to contributeto the common works of ASEAN, from the smallest of acts.
“Let us think Community, act Community, and share theCommunity values. There are no ties more enduring than those connecting ourhearts. Let our efforts take ASEAN far and wide, and at the same keep ASEANclose to our hearts,” he said.
According to him, the theme of ASEAN 2020 is “Cohesive andResponsive”, which is supported by the five priorities for 2020, identifiedwith a view to meeting the long-term goals of ASEAN. They involve actively contributingto a regional environment of peace, security and stability; bringing prosperitythrough regional integration and connectivity, heightening ASEAN’s adaptabilityto the Fourth Industrial Revolution to grasp opportunities; raising theawareness of ASEAN Community and Identity; strengthening partnerships for peaceand sustainable development, and promoting the role and contribution of ASEANin the international community; and enhancing the capacity and operationalefficiency of ASEAN.
Vietnam will make every effort to collaborate with fellowmembers to successfully accomplish the ASEAN 2020’s priorities, he said.
He wished that as befitting of an “ASEAN citizen”, eachVietnamese citizen, through actions, would spread the messages of a friendly,cordial, and hospitable Vietnam that welcomes all future partners with openarms.
At the ceremony, PM Phuc together with Deputy PM and ForeignMinister Pham Binh Minh and leaders of ministries and agencies pressed thebutton to launch the ASEAN 2020 website.
Minh also honoured special sponsors for Vietnam’s 2020 ASEANChairmanship./.
VNA
