Vietnam proposes 13 priorities for 26th AEM Retreat
A preparatory senior economic officials' meeting for the 26th ASEAN Economic Ministers’ Retreat (PREP-SEOM for the 26th AEM Retreat) was held in Da Nang city on March 8.
Officials pose for a photo at the meeting in Da Nang city on March 8 (Photo: VNA)
Da Nang (VNA) – A preparatory senior economic officials' meeting forthe 26th ASEAN Economic Ministers’ Retreat (PREP-SEOM for the 26th AEM Retreat)was held in Da Nang city on March 8.
The highlight of the PREP-SEOM was 13 priorities proposed by Vietnam – the ASEANChair in 2020. The priorities will be discussed at the 26th AEM Retreat beforereaching consensus for key tasks for implementation in this year.
The priorities are based on three main orientations, namely promoting connectionand economic connectivity in ASEAN, enhancing partnership for peace andsustainable development and raising adaptation capacity and operational effectivenessof ASEAN.
Earlier on March 7, with the complicated developments of the COVID-19, theVietnamese delegation proposed that ASEAN should jointly work to maintain thesupply chain in the grouping, creating conditions for supporting material supplysources for businesses, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises, in thecontext that the COVID-19 outbreak has impacted both human health and the economyin the region and the world.
At the PREP-SEOM, participants discussed a series of important issues to reportto the 26th AEM Retreat, such as discussing and adopting initiatives andpriorities of Vietnam in ASEAN Chairmanship Year 2020; reviewing and reachingconsensus on ASEAN’s annual priorities for this year; and seeking measures forexisting problems in intra-ASEAN cooperation as well as collaboration betweenASEAN and its partners, among others.
Over the past years, Vietnam has participated in building the ASEAN EconomicCommunity (AEC) in an active, proactive and responsible manner, and promotingthe implementation of commitments to form the AEC has been one of Vietnam’s toppriorities./.
Vietnam and ASEAN member countries would continuously support and share experience with Timor Leste in preparations for its admission to the bloc, as well as assessing the country’s capability and readiness.
A delegation from ASEAN countries, New Zealand and the ASEAN 2020 National Committee on March 5 inspected preparations for the 36th ASEAN Summit and the ASEAN-New Zealand Commemorative Summit in Da Nang.
The ASEAN Center of Military Medicine (ACMM) on March 5 held an online meeting to discuss coordination mechanisms among ASEAN member nations’ military medicine forces in the fight against the COVID-19.
The ASEAN Joint Consultative Meeting (JCM) was held in the central city of Da Nang on March 6 under the chair of Vietnamese Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Quoc Dung.
ASEAN member countries highly appreciated Vietnam’s initiatives and proposals in building a vision for ASEAN in 2025 and beyond, as well as preparations for the ASEAN Summit, at the ASEAN Joint Consultative Meeting (JCM) on March 6.
Vietnam is deeply concerned about the escalating and complex conflict in the Middle East, which poses a serious threat to the lives and safety of civilians, as well as to regional and global peace and stability.
The Vietnamese Embassy advises the Vietnamese community living, studying, and working in Israel to strictly comply with directions from the Home Front Command and local authorities.
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.
Officials pose for a photo at the meeting in Da Nang city on March 8 (Photo: VNA) 
