Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnamese Minister of Foreign Affairs BuiThanh Son has called on G7 countries to provide ASEAN with broader access toCOVID-19 vaccine supplies during the first meeting between G7 foreign and development ministers and ASEAN counterparts via videoconference on December12.

Son proposed the G7 countries to help the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) enhance its resilienceand self-reliance by supporting the bloc to access and distribute thevaccines in a safely, timely and equal manner, and promoting the transfer ofvaccine production technologies.

He also suggested the G7 countries to maintain an open market,invest more in sustainable infrastructure development and foster digital transformationand greener and cleaner growth.

Highlighting the ASEAN-G7 partnership in realisingcommitments made at the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) in Glasgow, the UK, the FM suggested the G7 take the lead in cutting gas emissions. The G7 shouldstrengthen cooperation with Vietnam and ASEAN at large to fulfill commitmentstowards net-zero emissions through green financial investment and cleantechnology while helping ASEAN narrow the development gaps, he said.

He urged the G7 to back ASEAN’s efforts to maintain peace,stability, cooperation and prosperity in the East Sea, fully implement theDeclaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) and soon reach an effective Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC) in line with international law, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

ASEAN and the G7 should also discuss ways to boostregular ministerial-level dialogues between the two sides, he added.

Speaking at the meeting, ministers from both ASEAN and G7nations heldthat the event offered a new opportunity for the two sides to bolster dialogue,partnership and joint response to regional and global issues and challenges. The G7countries affirmed their support for ASEAN’s centrality and respect forbilateral ties with the bloc, and vowed to actively contribute to ASEAN-ledmechanisms.

Several G7 nations said they are ready to strengthencooperation with ASEAN member states in accordance with the ASEAN Outlook onthe Indo-Pacific, and further accelerate vaccine supply for the ASEAN countries,enhance the capacity building of public health service systems and early warnings,and promote the transfer of vaccine production technologies.

Additionally, the G7 pledged to work with ASEAN to mobiliseresources for the development of sustainable, environmentally-friendlyinfrastructure and renewable energy, and facilitate maritime cooperation andprotection of sustainable marine environment.

Both sides agreed to continue strengthening coordination inthe fight against COVID-19; boosting inclusive and sustainable recovery from thepandemic; maintaining an open market; strengthening and stabilising regionaland global supply chains; investing in new technologies and innovation tocreate new momentum for economic recovery and growth; developing the digital economy and greeneconomy; and responding to climate change.

They affirmed the importance of maintaining peace, stability, security, safety and freedom of navigation and aviation in the East Sea; andvoiced support for the promotion of dialogue, trust-building, self-restraint, andpeaceful settlement of disputes based on international law, including the 1982 UNCLOS./.