The second ASEAN-RoK Think Tank Strategic Dialogue attracts the participation of delegates from 10 member agencies of ASEAN ISIS, KNDA, and other RoK research offices (Source: VNA)Hanoi (VNA) - The second Think Tank Strategic Dialogue between ASEANmember states and the Republic of Korea (RoK) took place on October 6 with thetheme “ASEAN-RoK Relations into a New Decade: Towards a Joint Strategic Vision”.
The online dialogue, chaired jointly by theDiplomatic Academy of Vietnam (DAV) and the Korea National Diplomatic Academy(KNDA), attracted the participation of delegates from 10 member agencies of theASEAN Institutes of Strategic and International Studies (ASEAN ISIS), the KNDA,and other RoK research offices, and diplomatic missions in Hanoi and Seoul.
In his opening remarks, DAV Vice PresidentNguyen Hung Son affirmed that intensifying cooperation between ASEAN and theRoK, including promoting dialogues on strategic issues, is of significance at atime when the COVID-19 pandemic is making the world and regional situationsbecome more uncertain and unpredictable, which is posing challenges to smalland medium-sized countries such as ASEAN members and the RoK.
KNDA Chancellor Kim Joon-hyung said that ASEANhas become a focus in his country’s foreign policy.
Amid the difficulties caused by the pandemic, ASEANand the RoK should take advantage of opportunities to boost collaboration,promote achievements, and build sustainable partnerships.
Chairman of the Singapore Institute ofInternational Affairs Simon Tay, who is also Chair of ASEAN-ISIS in 2020,stressed the need for both sides to foster measures to consolidate trust andintensify dialogue and cooperation.
To boost ASEAN-RoK relations in the 2021-2025period, participants suggested both sides continue implementing agreed-upon cooperationefforts, in particular coordinating to control the pandemic, resolve itsconsequences, and promote post-pandemic economic recovery.
The two sides should harmonise the bilateralrelationship between the RoK and each Southeast Asian nation, and step upcoordination in ASEAN-led regional mechanisms.
Priority should be given to fields of potentialsuch as infrastructure, the digital economy, water security in the Mekong Riversub-region, and high-quality human resources training, they said./.
VNA
