(Photo: VOV)

They expressed concerns on actions that put the safety of all persons at risk, damage to the marine environment, which have eroded trust and confidence, increased tensions, and may undermine peace, security and stability in the region.

The leaders affirmed their shared commitment to maintaining and promoting peace, security and stability in the region, as well as to the peaceful resolution of disputes, including full respect for legal and diplomatic processes, without resorting to the threat or use of force, in accordance with the universally recognised principles of international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

They also underscored the importance of the full and effective implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC), and welcomed the progress achieved so far in the ongoing negotiations on a Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC), including the completion of the second reading of the Single Draft COC Negotiating Text (SDNT), and the adoption of the Guidelines for Accelerating the Early Conclusion of an Effective and Substantive Code of Conduct in the East Sea.

Besides the Chairman's Statement, a series of statements between ASEAN countries and between ASEAN and its partners were adopted, including the ASEAN Leaders’ Declaration on Strengthening Food Security and Nutrition in Response to Crises.

Vietnamese Ambassador to ASEAN Nguyen Hai Bang said: "Stabilizing food security is a vital and urgent issue as the world is facing fluctuations in food supply. When a crisis occurs, how countries will solve food problems for their people. These are outstanding issues in ASEAN now.”