Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam, which held the chair of ASEANin 2020, had set the agenda for future chairpersons of ASEAN, not only for2021 but also for the next several years, said an assessment recently publishedby The Times of India, an Indian-based Indian English-language daily newspaperand digital news media.

The assessment, titled “Vietnam’s influence in ASEANmeetings 2021”, mentioned Vietnam’s ‘Cohesiveness and Responsive’ theme for2020. It said the theme highlights ASEAN’s unity and solidarity in the face ofincreasing challenges. Brunei as Chair of ASEAN this year is continuing withthe policies laid down by Vietnam by selecting the theme of “We care, Weprepare, We prosper.”

The article said Vietnam had stressed a need for leveragingthe fourth industrial revolution, focusing on the requirements of not onlycapital but also raw materials. Hence in February 2021, the bloc discussed aplan to exploit mineral resources and developing the ASEAN Mineral CooperationAction Plan in a time-bound manner. Vietnam’s emphasis on economic developmentwas further taken up by the chair in the ASEAN Leaders Meeting in April 2021.Brunei stressed the timely realisation of Priority Economic Deliverables (PEDs)under the ASEAN Economic Community Pillar.

Taking forward Vietnam’s priorities for communitydevelopment and unity were taken up in ASEAN meetings this year. In a March meeting,plans for ASEAN Community development in 2025 and ASEAN after 2025 were proposed.Brunei emphasised better care, effective preparations, and prosperity. TheASEAN chair also underscored the need to maintain the unity, centrality, andrelevance of ASEAN in the region and to collectively address common challenges.

According to the assessment, COVID-19 health-related issues werein the focus of Vietnam last year. At the ASEAN level, under Vietnam’schairmanship, all channels of communications among member states were activatedto share their problems and take appropriate actions. In April this year,Brunei convened the ASEAN Leaders Meeting to advance the bloc’s communitybuilding, fasten post-pandemic recovery, strengthen ASEAN’s external relations,and address pressing issues of common interest. Brunei stressed the commitmentfor the implementation of the Plan of the ASEAN Comprehensive RecoveryFramework in a timely manner.

The article said Vietnam, last year, paid great attention to thepolicy moves on the Indo-Pacific and stressed the ASEAN Outlook forIndo-Pacific (AOIP), while engaging with other nations. This year, Brunei has highlighted the need for engaging ASEAN external partners throughASEAN-led mechanisms in order to build mutual trust and confidence as well asto reinforce an open, transparent, inclusive, and rules-based regional architecturewith ASEAN at the centre./.