ASEAN Foreign Ministers in Labuan Bajo, Indonesia on May 9, 2023 (Photo: AFP)

AMM-56 and related meetings will take place from Monday to Friday in Jakarta, drawing representatives from the 10 ASEAN member countries and partners. In addition to the meetings between the 10 ASEAN countries, there will be meetings between ASEAN and each partner, the Foreign Ministers Meeting of the East Asia Forum (EAF) and the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF).

Promoting consensus at AMM-56

Ambassador Vu Ho, Acting Head of SOM ASEAN, said that ASEAN countries will review the achievements of the first half of the year and outline directions for cooperation until the end of the year. High on the agenda will be issues of peace, stability, and regional development.

"There will be 17 separate meetings, including meetings between ASEAN Foreign Ministers and between ASEAN Foreign Ministers and partner countries. Delegates will discuss issues relating to peace, stability, and prosperity in Southeast Asia and the wider Asia-Indo-Pacific region. This is the highlight of AMM-56, which is the next step in implementing the priorities and initiatives of Indonesia's 2023 Chairmanship, with the theme ‘ASEAN matters: Epicentrum of Growth’."

Taking place amid complicated developments in the region and the world, AMM-56 will focus on a number of issues to affirm ASEAN's central role, and ensure peace, stability and economic resilience.

Ambassador Vu Ho added: "The most prominent feature of ASEAN’s theme this year is to put ASEAN at the center of all development. All countries participating in this meeting are asked to make ASEAN's Vision for the Indo-Pacific the fundamental and central document for cooperation activities in the region in the new era.  The meeting will discuss the complicated situation in the East Sea, Myanmar, the Taiwan Strait, and the Korean peninsula."    

Vietnam promotes dynamism, proactiveness

Vietnamese Ambassador to ASEAN Nguyen Hai Bang said that at AMM-56 Vietnam will continue to demonstrate its commitment and responsibility toward ASEAN and the work of ASEAN. The Vietnamese delegation will participate in 20 activities contributing to solidarity and consensus in ASEAN and strengthening cooperation between ASEAN and its partners.

Vietnam has helped negotiate a number of documents, has proposed initiatives, and helped to draft the joint statements to be adopted at this meeting.

Ambassador Vu Ho said Vietnam will comment on issues including economic recovery, investment, supply chains, the environment, epidemics, energy security, and food security.

"Vietnam will contribute to consensus and harmony in decisions and initiatives and ensuring national interests. Vietnam will provide support for the initiatives and priorities Indonesia set for this year, thereby contributing to peace, stability, and development of the region."