 The 36th ASEAN Summit opens in Hanoi on June 26, 2020 |
Valuing ASEAN consensus in regional matters
Amid the raging COVID-19 pandemic, Vietnam has chaired multiple online meetings, especially the Special ASEAN Summit on Coronavirus Disease on April 14 to promote cooperation in fighting the pandemic. Specific measures were set out, including establishing the COVID-19 ASEAN Response Fund, setting up medical reserve warehouses, formulating an ASEAN standard operating procedure, and developing a post-pandemic recovery plan.
In the last 6 months, ASEAN’s cooperation in a “cohesive and responsive” manner has helped members withstand the adverse impacts of COVID-19.
At the ongoing 36th ASEAN Summit, discussions continue on post-pandemic development and emergency solutions, according to Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Quoc Dung. He said, “The COVID-19 pandemic derailed everything Vietnam had prepared. So we had to shift ASEAN’s focus to coordinating efforts and mobilizing resources to fight the COVID-19. This proposal received enthusiastic response from ASEAN members.”
Vietnam worked with other ASEAN countries to adopt the Declaration on Human Resources Development for the Changing World of Work. Deputy Minister of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs Le Quan explained, “In the context of Industry 4.0 and the ravages of COVID-19, higher quality human resources will determine ASEAN’s global competitiveness. ASEAN countries are prioritizing advanced technology, IT, and human resource development to meet the needs of foreign investors.”
The Fourth Industrial Revolution requires a new ASEAN approach to gender equality. Vietnam will host a special session on women’s empowerment at the 36th ASEAN Summit.
Positive feedback
Vietnam’s coordinating efforts have been widely acknowledged. ASEAN Secretary General Lim Jock Hoi said, “Vietnam has demonstrated a strong leadership in spearheading collective regional response to COVID-19. Vietnam's chairmanship theme of building a cohesive and responsive ASEAN is very much relevant given the situation we find ourselves in. ASEAN have come together and responded quickly to the pandemic since February through the convening on the first ACC meeting on February the 20th in Vientiane, Laos. The collective dialogue has continued throughout the past few months via video conferences, and to two summits, ASEAN's strong response is in large part of Vietnam's strong leadership and encouraging our continual dialogue and collaboration.”
Other ASEAN countries have applauded Vietnam’s performance as ASEAN Chair for 2020 and affirmed their support for implementing Vietnam’s proposals at the ASEAN and ASEAN Plus Three Special Summits on COVID-19 Response. They have agreed on a roadmap to implement ASEAN’s priorities for this year and pledged to continue working with Vietnam to achieve their common goals.