Phnom Penh (VNA) – The 40th and 41st Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summits officially kicked off inPhnom Penh, Cambodia, on November 11 morning.

Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh joined leaders of otherASEAN member countries, ASEAN Secretary-General Lim Jock Hoi, andrepresentatives of partners and international organisations at the openingceremony.

Addressing the event, Cambodian PM Samdech Techo Hun Senhighlighted the significance of the bloc’s 55th foundinganniversary, which marks a long path of regional connectivity and cooperationand enhances the cohesion among ASEAN members for the common goal of peace,self-reliance, and development.

The 40th and 41st ASEAN Summits andrelated summits are an occasion for countries to make review and renew determinationto strive for a united, resilient, inclusive, and rules-based future, he noted.

Afterthree years of the COVID-19 pandemic, with solidarity and persistent efforts byeach member country and the whole ASEAN, it could be said that the bloc has succeededin surmounting the pandemic and resume economic activities, he went on.

The Cambodian leader stressed the need to be fully aware that ASEAN andthe region are facing numerous difficulties and challenges, which urgentlyrequires an overall approach and sound vision, orientations, and policies. Thisis also the theme of ASEAN in 2022 - “Addressing Challenges Together”.

In that context, ASEAN gives the highest priority tomaintaining solidarity, unanimity, and centrality to overcome challengestogether and build a resilient community for all people. Looking towards thefuture, the bloc should strongly uphold the values that have made its successesover the more than five decades, PM Hun Sen added.

After the opening ceremony, ASEAN leaders attended a plenarysession of the 40th ASEAN Summit and a retreat meeting of the 41st summit./.