Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, and National Assembly Chairwoman and Chair of the 41st General Assembly of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA 41) Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan were also present at the opening ceremony.

Party General Secretary and State President Nguyen Phu Trong delivers the welcome remarks at the opening ceremony of the 37th ASEAN Summit.

In his welcome remarks, Party General Secretary and State President Trong said in 2020, ASEAN member countries have shown their will, resolve and efforts to overcome a range of difficulties and challenges.

He commended the grouping’s cohesive and responsive spirit of ASEAN in Covid-19 prevention and control, and the settlement of its consequences, saying public confidence in governments’ capacity to handle diseases has improved.

ASEAN has gained successes in maintaining activities as well as its role and position over the past years, the top leader said, noting that partners have continued to attach importance to and support the grouping’s centrality.

Given huge human and property losses caused by natural disasters and diseases, he called on ASEAN leaders to put forth more drastic and effective measures to well control new Covid-19 infections, revive the economy, stabilise lives and ensure social welfare for all regions and people of countries.

In the new context, the ASEAN countries need to display their mettle and actively coordinate to materialise recovery initiatives and plans, with new, result-oriented operation and cooperation methods.

The values of regional dialogue and cooperation frameworks with ASEAN holding the central role should be brought into full play, the Party and State leader said, stressing that ASEAN would contribute more actively and effectively to efforts to promote multilateral cooperation and international law, and consolidate the international multilateral system with the United Nations as the core.

As ASEAN 2020 Chair, Vietnam treasures the solidarity and valuable support of other member countries, ASEAN’s partners and friends to help the grouping firmly overcome challenges, maintain connectivity, build the ASEAN community and consolidate the bloc’s centrality, thus building a Southeast Asian region of peace, friendship, cooperation, neutrality and stability.

Delivering the opening speech, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc pointed out challenges caused by the Covid-19 pandemic and natural disasters that would “sweep away” social progress and economic achievements built up for tens of decades, and it will take countries many years to overcome these losses.

The Governments of ASEAN member countries have united and acted together since very first days, he said, adding that ASEAN leaders and partners made strong commitments during the Special ASEAN Summit and ASEAN+3 Special Summit on Covid-19 that were held in mid-April when the pandemic began to break out, in the spirit of cohesiveness and responsiveness.

At the 37th ASEAN Summit, the ASEAN member countries are expected to establish a regional reserve of medical supplies that enables rapid response to emergency needs and standard procedures in response to pandemics.

With the support of Japan, the grouping agreed to form the ASEAN centre for public health emergencies and emerging diseases, PM Phuc said, noting that these cooperation outcomes are significant to improving capacity for responding to medical emergencies and disease risks in the future.

Reviewing the implementation of the ASEAN Charter is a need, and the leaders will look at this important task during the 37th Summit, he said.

Emphasising the risks to global peace and security, PM Phuc said ASEAN has consistently maintained its balanced and harmonious approach, as well as its centrality.

He lauded the statement issued by ASEAN Foreign Ministers on the occasion of the 53rd anniversary of the association that has affirmed the resolve to maintain a Southeast Asian region of peace, security, stability and neutrality.

The leader also talked about the first-ever ASEAN Women Leaders’ Summit where representatives of female leaders will raise their voice on women’s role in promoting sustainable development in the post-pandemic world.

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc delivers the opening remarks.

It is a must to intensify measures to help enterprises restore production and business, and create jobs and livelihoods for people, he noted.

ASEAN councils need to promptly implement the ASEAN Comprehensive Recovery Framework and the implementation plan right after this summit, he requested.

The leader said the equal and sustainable development is of special significance to the ASEAN Community building, especially at a time when diseases and natural disasters are threatening the regional growth.

Concluding his speech, PM Phuc believed with its solidarity and self-resilience, ASEAN will firmly overcome challenges, towards a wealthy and prosperous life for more than 600 million people, effectively contributing to peace, stability and development in the region and the world.

Graphic artworks by artists from across ASEAN displayed in Hanoi

The third ASEAN Graphic Art Competition and Exhibition opened in Hanoi on November 6, displaying 117 artworks by 84 artists from ASEAN countries.

Nguyen Hoa Binh elected as President of Council of ASEAN Chief Justices

Chief Justice of the Supreme People’s Court of Vietnam Nguyen Hoa Binh was elected as President of the Council of ASEAN Chief Justices (CACJ) for the 2020-2021 tenure during the eight meeting of the council on November 5.

ASEAN pledges support for disaster hit brethren

ASEAN stands ready to support members suffering from floods and landslides, the regional bloc’s foreign ministers said in a statement Tuesday.

Diverse ASEAN culture reflected in traditional costumes

An exhibition of ASEAN traditional costumes opened at the Vietnam National Museum of History in Hanoi on October 21, featuring various cultural colours of regional countries reflected in their traditional costumes.

Nearly 6,000 runners join VPBank Hanoi Marathon ASEAN 2020

Nearly 6,000 runners participated in the VPBank Hanoi Marathon ASEAN 2020 on October 18.

Source: NDO