Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc chairs the plenary session of the 37th ASEAN Summit on November 12. (Photo: VNA)Hanoi(VNA) – Vietnam will contribute 100,000 USD to the ASEAN COVID-19 Response Fundand is committed to contributing 5 million USD worth of medical supplies to the RegionalReserve of Medical Supplies, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc announced at the37th ASEAN Summit on November 12.
While chairing the event, the PM suggested an overall and concerted approach to containthe COVID-19 pandemic with the participation of the “entire Community” andpromote comprehensive recovery.
ASEAN should workharder to maintain the cooperation momentum and regional connectivity, fullyimplement targets set in the ASEAN Community Vision 2025 in line with the roadmap,and step up development orientations for the grouping in the new period, the leader said.
At the same time, it needs to create new impetus in order to improve its competitiveness in thepost-pandemic world, optimise intra-bloc cooperation opportunities, applycutting-edge technologies and sciences, improve digital transformation capacity, and develop high-quality human resources so as to establish its new positionin the global and supply chain.
To cope with thesevere challenges caused by the pandemic and natural disasters, and maintainequal and sustainable development goals, PM Phuc called on ASEAN to doubleefforts in order to narrow the development gap and enhance connectivity,including development links with sub-regions like the Mekong, so that noregions and areas are left behind.
Stressing the significanceof protecting regional identities, image and values of the ASEAN Community, thePM supported the use and the ASEAN flag and anthem, and said the ASEAN flagwill be flown at the headquarters of Vietnamese government offices from thebeginning of 2021.
He proposed the groupingcarry forward its centrality in dialogue and cooperation, build up trust in theregion, make greater efforts to shape an open, transparent, rules-basedregional architecture, push ahead with the formation and sharing of codes ofconduct, and respect law.
The leader highlightedthe ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP), and the statement issued by ASEANForeign Ministers on the occasion of the 53rd anniversary of thegrouping, describing them as the foundation for the bloc to promote a SoutheastAsian region of peace, security, neutrality and stability, and increase valuestowards regional peace in line with international law.
Regarding the EastSea, PM Phuc reiterated Vietnam’s stance, in accordance with ASEAN’s common perception on efforts and resolve to turn it into a water of peace, stability,security, safety and development.
All countries need torespect law, consider the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea(1982 UNCLOS) a framework for all activities at sea, and the freedom ofnavigation and aviation, step up trust building, exercise self-restraint, takeno actions that would complicate the situation, not to militarise, and addressdisputes and differences in line with international law, he stressed.
In that spirit, theserious and full implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties inthe East Sea (DOC) and the building of a Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC) in an effective and efficient wat and in accordance with international law and the 1982UNCLOS are of special significance, the PM said.
At the summit, ASEANleaders lauded Vietnam’s role as the ASEAN Chair 2020 in coordinating and leadingASEAN to maintain cooperation momentum and building in all of its three pillars,and boosting cooperation in containing and dealing with consequences ofCOVID-19.
In an effort to copewith the pandemic, the leaders approved the ASEAN Comprehensive Recovery Frameworkand its implementation plan, the ASEAN declaration on the travel corridor, andthe Strategic Framework for Public Health Emergencies.
They officiallyannounced the establishment of the Regional Reserve of Medical Supplies, and agreedto promote the operation of the ASEAN COVID-19 Response Fund and establish theASEAN Regional Centre on Public Health Emergencies and Emerging Diseases.
At the end of thesummit, the ASEAN leaders approved a number of important documents, proposed byVietnam as the ASEAN Chair 2020 and supported by other ASEAN member countries andpartners, such as the Hanoi declaration on the ASEAN Community Vision Post2025, and the Hanoideclaration on promoting social work towards a cohesive andresponsive ASEAN Community./.
VNA
