PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc speaks at the ceremony to hand over the ASEAN Chairmanship to Vietnam. (Photo: VNA)Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam is ready to take on the role of ASEAN Chair in2020, making contributions to building a cohesive and responsive ASEANCommunity, said Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Quoc Dung.
In an interview recently granted to Vietnam News Agency, Dung said that meticulouspreparations have been made by the National ASEAN 2020 Committee, which was setup at the end of 2018 to outline a plan for the year.
Vietnam has penned detailed communications plan which contains a multitude ofcultural, art and tourism activities to promote images of the Vietnamese peopleand land to international friends, he said, adding that careful preparationsfrom receptions and logistics to security and health have been put in place toensure security for officials and delegates.
This year, the country will host more than 300 meetings and activities atdifferent levels, with the 36th ASEAN Summit and the ASEAN – NewZealand Commemorative Summit scheduled in Da Nang in April, and the 37th ASEAN Summit and related summits in Hanoi in November.
The country will chair the 41st General Assembly of ASEANInter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA 41) in Ha Long in August, along with 20ministerial-level meetings, he added.
At the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Retreat this month, ministers plan to adoptprogrammes and activities for ASEAN 2020.
Vietnam has selected the theme “Cohesive and Responsive” for ASEAN 2020, and hasreceived strong support from ASEAN member states and partners, Dung said,holding the two elements are interdependent and complimentary.
Under the theme, Vietnam will promote five priorities during its chairmanshipyear, including strengthening ASEAN solidarity and unity, promoting regionalconnectivity and adaptability to the Fourth Industrial Revolution, fosteringawareness of the ASEAN community and identity, stepping up partnerships forpeace and sustainable development, and improving the adaptability andoperational efficiency of the ASEAN apparatus./.
VNA
