 Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh attends an event to mark ASEAN's anniversary. (photo: VOV) |
Vietnam’s contributions to ASEAN
2020 is an important year as Vietnam takes the position of ASEAN Chair for the third time and celebrates its 25 years of joining the bloc. In the past 25 years, Vietnam’s many initiatives have been implemented, including the establishment of the ASEAN Defense Ministers Meeting Plus (ADMM+) and the ASEAN Commission on the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Women and Children. In 2010 Vietnam obtained consensus to include Russia and the US in the East Asia Summit.
As a coordinator, Vietnam has connected and deepened ASEAN’s relations with its partners such as China, the US, Russia, Japan, South Korea, the EU, Australia, and India. Vietnam actively implemented a master plan on building the ASEAN Community and involved in drafting the ASEAN Connectivity Initiative to narrow development gaps between old and new members.
Ambassador Tran Duc Binh, Head of Vietnam’s delegation to ASEAN, said: “Over the past 25 years and recently, Vietnam has been a responsible and proactive member in all activities of ASEAN. We have made important contributions to the ASEAN Community’s development. Vietnam is one of countries recording highest results in implementing the master plan on building the ASEAN Community. Vietnam has worked to strengthen unity and solidarity in ASEAN and elevate ASEAN’s central role in maintaining regional cooperation, peace, and stability.”
One of the achievements of 2019 was securing a common view among members on the Indo-Pacific region. Vietnam and other ASEAN members are working toward a Code of Conduct in the East Sea with China, an issue being delayed due to the global COVID-19 pandemic.
Last year, Vietnam sped up negotiations on a Trade and Services Agreement, developed a roadmap to reduce non-tariff barriers, and concluded negotiations on the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (RCEP), which is scheduled to be signed this year. Vietnam supported the implementation of initiatives of the previous ASEAN Chairs.
Vietnamese Ambassador Tran Duc Binh (L) and ASEAN Secretary General Dato Lim Jock Hoi (C) receive the RoK's donation to ASEAN's COVID-19 response project. (photo: VOV)
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Vietnam demonstrates strong leadership in 2020
Since the beginning of the year, ASEAN has promptly responded to the COVID-19 pandemic, which is raging globally. Vietnam successfully chaired the ASEAN Special Summit and ASEAN+3 Summit in fighting COVID-19, and the 36th ASEAN Summit teleconference. Member states issued the “ASEAN Leaders' Vision Statement on a Cohesive and Responsive ASEAN: Rising above Challenges and Sustaining Growth”, which has been a guideline for ASEAN’s development and integration. ASEAN members have shared their lessons and results in fighting COVID-19 and established a Regional Reserve of Medical Supplies (RRMS) and the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) to further enhance the bloc’s preparedness and capacity to respond to emerging diseases and future public health emergencies.
ASEAN Secretary General Dato Lim Jock Hoi said that Vietnam presents a strong leadership vision to steer the region in the COVID-19 pandemic. ASEAN has united and quickly responded to the pandemic since February, which has been partly attributed to Vietnam’s effort to organize dialogues and teleconfences. ASEAN can overcome the COVID-19 challenges by consensus, staunchness, and effort, Mr. Dato Lim said.
In 2020 Vietnam takes on a double task as the Chair of ASEAN and a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for the 2020-2021 term. Advocating a cohesive and responsive ASEAN, Vietnam has fulfilled its tasks in a responsible and creative manner, contributed to ASEAN’s growth and sustainability, and showed the world a resilient, united ASEAN.