Hanoi (VNA) – The chairmanship ofthe Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) for 2020 that Vietnamofficially assumed on November 4 will be a chance for the country to affirm itsrole and stature while further showing itself as an active member of the ASEANCommunity.

This is not the first time Vietnam has served inthis post. In 2010, when it held the role for the first time, the country madean impression with many practical activities and programmes that considerablycontributed to ASEAN’s development, as well as regional peace, stability andprosperity. This will be a solid foundation for Vietnam to act as the ASEANChair in 2020.

Vietnam has chosen “Cohesive and Responsive” asthe theme for the ASEAN Year 2020, which will focus on bringing into play thebloc’s internal strengths through solidarity and connectivity, which includeits cohesiveness in terms of economy and community building, along with eachcountry’s people-centred development. Meanwhile, the “responsive” element meansflexibly adapting to international and regional changes, along with intertwinedchallenges and opportunities, such as the rapid development of science and technology,growing competition among powers, and non-traditional challenges like climatechange and epidemics.

Through its ASEAN chairmanship, Vietnam is setto demonstrate its leadership and coordination capability to help membercountries grasp opportunities, overcome challenges, and build a sustainablecommunity.

With that goal, the Vietnam has put forth fivepriorities for the ASEAN Chairmanship Year 2020, namely enhancing the bloc’sperformance of its role and contribution to the maintenance of regional peace,security and stability; boosting regional connectivity, improving the capacityof adapting to and capitalising on the Fourth Industrial Revolution; promotingthe awareness of the ASEAN Community and its identities to create common valuesfor the group; reinforcing partnerships for peace and sustainable developmentwith countries around the world; and improving ASEAN’s adaptability andefficiency by reforming institutions and bettering the operations of theassociation’s apparatus.

The ASEAN Chairmanship Year 2020 is considered thebiggest multilateral event Vietnam will host next year, when the group will behalf-way towards its plans to realise the ASEAN Vision 2025. It will also be animportant year as the progress and achievements made will be evaluated in orderto decide on the next steps to successfully achieve the targets of the ASEANCommunity in 2025.

The year will also mark 25 years of Vietnam’sASEAN membership. 

Since it officially entered ASEAN on July 28,1995, the country has always viewed the association as one of the toppriorities in its foreign policy, and continuously made efforts to contributeto the bloc’s common activities as an active and responsible member. Major andeffective contributions by Vietnam in the building of the ASEAN Community havehelped the association raise its stature in the region and the world.

Also in 2020, Vietnam will act as anon-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council.

Both positions are important diplomatic rolesthat will enable the country to illustrate its standing, prestige, as well ascapacity in the international arena. It will also represent the whole ASEANCommunity at the UN. 

Many countries have expressed their belief thatVietnam will bring into play its capacity and show its sense of responsibilityin these two positions.

Ten years since its first ASEAN chairmanship,Vietnam is ready to continue its role and sense of responsibility in the ASEANCommunity, and help maintain the bloc’s development to meet member countriesand partners’ aspirations and bring practical benefits to more than 630 millionpeople in the region./.