36th ASEAN Summit to concentrate on addressing COVID-19 crisis: Deputy FM
The upcoming 36th ASEAN Summit will focus on the development of the ASEAN Community in the immediate future and measures to address the social and economic impact of the COVID-19 crisis in the region, Deputy Foreign Minister and General Secretary of the National ASEAN 2020 Committee Nguyen Quoc Dung has said.
Deputy Foreign Minister and General Secretary of the National ASEAN 2020 Committee Nguyen Quoc Dung (L) speaks at the press conference (Photo: the Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
Hanoi (VNA) - The upcoming 36th ASEAN Summit will focus on the developmentof the ASEAN Community in the immediate future and measures to address the socialand economic impact of the COVID-19 crisis in the region, Deputy Foreign Ministerand General Secretary of the National ASEAN 2020 Committee Nguyen Quoc Dung has said.
Speaking at a press conference in Hanoi on June 23 regarding the summit, he emphasisedVietnam’s preparations in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic hitting the regionand the world.
To take place in Hanoi on June 26 in the form of a video conference, the summitwill be the first official summit hosted by Vietnam as ASEAN 2020 Chair, he added.
At the plenary session that will be chaired by Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc,participants will hear reports and give opinions on cooperation among ASEAN membernations in the three pillars of the ASEAN Community - political security, economics, and socio-cultural issues.They are also expected to propose measures for stronger cooperation between ASEAN and itspartner countries in the time to come.
ASEAN leaders will also compare notes on regional and international issues of commonconcern, with a focus on how to effectively deal with the COVID-19 pandemic whilepromptly recovering socio-economic development in ASEAN member countries at thesame time.
According to the Deputy FM, ASEAN leaders will hold dialogues with representativesfrom the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) on coordination between the twoorganisations in building a people-oriented ASEAN Community.
Dialogues between ASEAN leaders and ASEAN youth and representatives from the ASEANBusiness Advisory Council (ASEAN-ABAC) will be arranged within the framework ofthe summit.
In particular, the ASEAN Leaders’ Special Session on Women’s Empowerment in theDigital Age - an initiative from Vietnam to affirm ASEAN leaders’ commitment topromoting gender equality and enhancing the role of women in building the ASEANCommunity - will also be organised as part of celebrations of the 25th anniversary of the approval of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action foradvancing women’s rights, Dung said.
ASEAN leaders will adopt an ASEAN Chair Statement on the outcomes of the 36th ASEAN Summit, a VisionStatement on ASEAN’s cohesion and proactive adaptation, and an ASEAN Declarationon human resources development for the changing world of work, he added./.
The 28th meeting of the Senior Officials’ Committee for the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (SOCA) was held via video conference under the chair of the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs (MoLISA) on June 22.
The ASEAN Senior Officials’ Preparatory Meeting (PREP-SOM) was held online on June 22 and chaired by Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Quoc Dung, head of the Vietnam ASEAN SOM.
Deputy Foreign Minister and head of the SOM ASEAN Vietnam Nguyen Quoc Dung chaired the ASEAN Senior Officials' Preparatory Meeting (Prep-SOM), the second meeting of the ASEAN Coordinating Council (ACC) Working Group on Public Health Emergencies (ACCWG-PHE) and the Joint Consultation Meeting in Hanoi on June 22.
Ministers from Asia-Pacific countries negotiating the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) began a videoconference on June 23, with how to bring India back to the talks among the focuses.
The Republic of Korea (RoK), China, Japan and ten ASEAN nations (ASEAN+3) have strengthened their emergency liquidity programme to better cope with possible financial crises, Seoul's finance ministry said on June 23.
Stronger efforts and determination are required to achieve and surpass the set targets, especially in the eradication of makeshift and dilapidated houses nationwide, the acceleration of public investment disbursement, and the implementation of nationally important transport projects, PM Pham Minh Chinh noted.
The trip will be made at the invitations of Chinese Premier Li Qiang and WEF President and CEO Børge Brende, according to an announcement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Long spoke highly of the dynamic, positive, and comprehensive development of Vietnam – Russia relations in recent years. He affirmed that the Vietnamese Party and State place great importance on further strengthening the comprehensive strategic partnership with Russia in a substantive and effective manner, in line with the development needs of both nations.
At the conference, participants reported that the Government has so far issued 28 decrees on the delegation of responsibilities and powers between the central Government and two-tier local administrations. Several localities have already piloted the new governance model.
Reality is the ultimate benchmark for success, he said, urging drafting agencies to work out policies that foster development, reduce bureaucratic hurdles, and respect practical conditions.
Under the official dispatch signed on June 20, ministers, heads of ministerial-level agencies, and chairpersons of provincial and municipal People’s Committees are requested to concentrate efforts on implementing core measures to ensure the smooth operations of the new administrative framework.
The Party chief underscored the need for the press to innovate relentlessly, evolve to keep pace with the country's development, transform into a truly professional, humanistic, and modern sector that serves the cause of the Party, the State, and the people on the path to national construction and development.
The UN Secretary-General praised Vietnam’s remarkable achievements in socio-economic development and international integration in recent years, noting that the country has emerged as a model in implementing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), promoting international peace and security, and engaging in key UN processes.
Nghia affirmed that this is a milestone of special significance, affirming and honouring the the Vietnamese revolutionary press’s glorious tradition of 100 years of serving the revolutionary cause of the Party, serving the Fatherland, and serving the people.
The Party and State of Vietnam always attach great importance to and give top priority to the development of Vietnam–China relations. Vietnam is ready to work with the Chinese Party and State to further deepen the Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership and promote the building of the Vietnam-China community with a shared future that carries strategic significance.
Under the leadership of President Ho Chi Minh and the CPV, President Cuong said, the press has been a steadfast force on the ideological and cultural front, rallying the masses to pursue national aspirations.
NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man stressed the need to accelerate the application of artificial intelligence and smart teaching equipment, innovate teaching and assessment methods, and further improve the quality of formal education.
He also pledged that the NA will promote its ongoing supervision, making sure that every promise must lead to results, and every commitment must bring about real changes.
Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien welcomed the proposals put forward by the US side and reiterated Vietnam’s request for consideration of key areas of interest, including reciprocal tariff policies and access for Vietnamese key export products to the US market.
Deputy PM Le Thanh Long proposed countries promote shared values, including building trust, sincerity, and solidarity among nations and peoples; fostering cooperation spirit and responsible behaviour as well as upholding international law and the UN Charter; and placing people at the centre and as the goal, the key player, and the driving force of all policies.
The show, together with a grand parade to be held silmutaneously at Ba Dinh Square in Hanoi, will celebrate the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution, the National Day, and the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army (VPA).
In particular, in April 2023, the two sides successfully carried out a joint operation that dismantled a major organised, transnational drug trafficking ring involving both Vietnamese and Cambodian suspects.
The Vietnamese Embassy in Israel is closely coordinating with relevant local agencies to stay informed and provide the utmost support possible for Vietnamese nationals.
Deputy Foreign Minister and General Secretary of the National ASEAN 2020 Committee Nguyen Quoc Dung (L) speaks at the press conference (Photo: the Ministry of Foreign Affairs) 
