Hanoi (VNA) – The 27th ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), as part of the 53rdASEAN Foreign Ministers Meeting (AMM 53) and Related Meetings, has adoptedseveral important documents, including the ARF Hanoi Plan of Action II, settingout cooperation priorities and directions for ARF activities in the 2020-2025period.

Theforum, which was held via video conference on September 12 under the chair ofVietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh, was attended byforeign ministers from 27 ARF member nations and organisations, andASEAN Secretary-General Lim Jock Hoi.

In hisopening speech, Minh spoke highly of the role of the ARF, a key forum fordialogue and cooperation on political and security issues in the region.

Amidunprecedented challenges in the region and the world, he proposed theparticipants discuss and identify directions and measures to take the best ofthe ARF, especially in fostering dialogue and cooperation, strengthening mutualtrust, narrowing differences, and promoting trust building and preventivediplomacy, thereby contributing to the maintenance of regional peace, stabilityand prosperity.

Theministers noted that, despite the difficulties caused by the COVID-19 pandemic,the countries have maintained dialogue and cooperation, and implemented a rangeof innovative and flexible measures to adapt to the new situation.

In2019 and 2020, the ARF has organised 12 activities on key agenda, includingapplying the Convention on the Law of Sea and international legal documents,improving capacity for early warning of disasters and cyber security.

Theministers stressed that the ARF should devise measures to build trust andenforce preventive diplomacy while further strengthening cooperation inpriority areas such as disaster relief, counter-terrorism and transnationalcrime combat, marine security, cyber security, non-proliferation anddisarmament of nuclear weapons and weapons of mass destruction.

Theforum should also improve its operations while enhancing coordination withother ASEAN mechanisms such as EAS and ADMM , the ministers said.

Amid the multifaceted challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the ministersshared the view that the ARF should cooperate in responding to and mitigatingimpacts of the COVID-19 outbreak and infectious diseases, taking advantage ofthe ARF in disaster relief activities and civilian military coordination.Hence, the ministers supported Vietnam's proposal to issue the ARF Statement onEnhancing Cooperation to Prevent and Respond to Infectious Disease Outbreaks.

Themeeting reached consensus that stakeholders continues dialogue to resolvedifferences towards sustainable peace on the Korean Peninsula without nuclearweapons. The ministers called for the full and effective implementation of relevantresolutions of the United Nations Security Council.

Theministers reiterated the importance of maintaining peace, stability, security,safety and freedom of navigation and aviation in the East Sea. Amid complicateddevelopments, serious incidents and violations of international law and the1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), the ministersemphasised the need to self-restrain, avoid acts that further complicate thesituation and militarisation, and settle disputes in line with internationallaw, including the 1982 UNCLOS.

The meeting supported the full and effective implementation of the Declarationon Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC), and urged ASEAN and China to soonfinalise an effective and efficient Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC) inaccordance with international law, especially the 1982 UNCLOS.

Addressing the event, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minhemphasised that the ARF needs and is able to further promote its role andcontributions, especially in maintaining dialogue and cooperation,strengthening mutual trust and mutual understanding and coordination ofpolicies and actions to actively and effectively respond to existing andemerging challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic and infectious diseases.

Hesuggested the countries effectively implement the ARF Hanoi Plan of Action II, theARF Statement on Enhancing Cooperation to Prevent and Respond to Infectious DiseaseOutbreaks and other statements and initiatives adopted at the forum.

Regarding the East Sea, Minh emphasised the common interests and responsibilityof all countries in maintaining and promoting peace, stability, security,safety and freedom of navigation and aviation in the East Sea.

Heexpressed his concerns over complicated developments, incidents and actsviolating the legitimate rights and interests of coastal countries, andreiterated ASEAN's principled position on the East Sea stated in the Joint Communiquéof the 53rd ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting. He underlined the need to respectlaw, self-restrain, avoid acts that further complicate the situation and militarization,and settle disputes on the basis of international law and the 1982 UNCLOS

ASEANwill spare no effort, together with China, to fully and effectively implementthe DOC and soon complete an effective and efficient COC in line withinternational law, especially the 1982 UNCLOS, Minh affirmed.

The ministersapproved the AFR Hanoi Plan of Action II, setting out cooperation prioritiesand directions for ARF activities in the 2020-2025 period. 

Theyalso adopted the ARF Statement on the Treatment of Children Recruited by orAssociated with Terrorist Groups and the ARF Statement on Cooperation in theField of Security of and in the Use of ICTs in the Context of InternationalSecurity.

Themeeting also issued the Chairman’s Statement of the 27th ARF./.