Diplomats highly value Vietnam’s flexibility as ASEAN Chair amid pandemic
Vietnamese Ambassador to the US Ha Kim Ngoc and diplomats of other ASEAN countries recently took part in the first teleconference of the ASEAN Committee in Washington DC (ACW).
Vietnamese Ambassador to the US Ha Kim Ngoc (upper, left) and other diplomats at the teleconference of the ASEAN Committee in Washington DC (Photo: VNA)
Washington DC (VNA) – Vietnamese Ambassador to theUS Ha Kim Ngoc and diplomats of other ASEAN countries recently took part in thefirst teleconference of the ASEAN Committee in Washington DC (ACW).
At this session, chaired by Cambodian Ambassadorand head of the ACW Chum Sounry, the ASEAN ambassadors and chargé d’affairesdiscussed the outcomes of the special ASEAN and ASEAN+3 summits on COVID-19 onApril 14 and the special ASEAN-US foreign ministers’ meeting on the issue onApril 23.
They thanked and congratulated Vietnam on itstimely response, proactiveness and flexibility as the ASEAN Chair amidst theCOVID-19 pandemic’s complex developments which have affected multiple aspects,including external activities.
The diplomats also highly valued Vietnam’sinitiative to promote cooperation within ASEAN as well as between the bloc andpartners, including the US, in coping with the pandemic.
Looking into the pandemic’s economic impact onthe Southeast Asian region, they shared the view on an economic growthslowdown, stressing the importance of maintaining the connectivity in supplychains of food, medicine and medical supplies.
They also underlined the need for ASEAN to keepenhancing ties in the disease prevention and control, vaccine and medicationdevelopment, and post-pandemic economic recovery, thereby helping to intensifythe ASEAN-US strategic partnership.
At the meeting, Ambassador Ngoc updatedparticipants about the initial encouraging outcomes of the VietnameseGovernment’s anti-COVID-19 measures, noting that the test kits produced byVietnam have been recognised by the World Health Organisation and Europeancountries.
The diplomats highly valued Vietnam’s efforts toconcurrently fight the pandemic in the country and assist other ASEAN nationswith medical supplies. They also called on Vietnam, Indonesia and Thailand toshare the research outcomes on the vaccines against SARS-CoV-2, the virus thatcauses the disease.
The Philippine ambassador appreciated Vietnam’scontinuation of rice export and hoped that the country will maintain theactivity to help ensure food security.
Participants also asked countries to issuenotifications before applying new policies that may affect other members of theassociation./.
The development of cooperation between ten member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and its partners - Japan, China, and the Republic of Korea (RoK) - is significant in coping with COVID-19, the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs told Vietnam News Agency reporters on April 16.
The ASEAN Ministers on Agriculture and Forestry (AMAF) have issued a joint statement reaffirming commitment to ensure food security, food safety and nutrition in the region during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh on April 23 affirmed that Vietnam will enhance its cooperation with other countries, including the US, as well as the World Health Organisation and the international community in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.
ASEAN and Japan have agreed to support each other in coping with the COVID-19 pandemic by focusing on easing its impact, enhancing economic flexibility, promoting export and solving problems faced by small- and medium-sized enterprises, according to the Thai Ministry of Commerce.
Lawmakers are set to vote on revisions and amendments to a broad spectrum of legal frameworks and impactful resolutions during the final week of the 15th NA's 9th session.
The State Committee for Overseas Vietnamese Affairs (SCOVA) has served as a bridge connecting and uniting the community with the homeland, becoming a trusted source of support for Vietnamese expats in times of hardship.
The programme to eliminate temporary and dilapidated houses has achieved notable results, with nearly 263,000 housing units addressed to date, including 225,000 houses inaugurated and 38,000 under construction. Thirty-eight provinces and cities across the nation have already fulfilled their targets.
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).
Vietnamese Ambassador to the US Ha Kim Ngoc (upper, left) and other diplomats at the teleconference of the ASEAN Committee in Washington DC (Photo: VNA) 
