Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh attends ASEAN Summits (Photo: Duong Giang/ VNA)

Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh attended 14 of 17 major activities, including the 38th and 39th ASEAN Summits; ASEAN Summits with the Republic of Korea, China, the US, Japan, Australia, India, and Russia; the ASEAN 3 Summit; and the 16th East Asia Summit (EAS).

At these meetings, PM Chinh delivered major speeches focused on key issues and emerging challenges faced by ASEAN, including COVID-19 response, post-pandemic economic recovery, the East Sea and Myanmar issues, building the post-2025 ASEAN Community Vision, and promoting ASEAN’s role in sub-regional cooperation. He reiterated Vietnam’s foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, diversification, multilateralisation, and comprehensive international integration, affirming that Vietnam is an active member who makes responsible contributions; stands with other countries to resolve problems, maintain solidarity, and cope with emerging challenges; and works to consolidate ASEAN’s central role, position, and international voice.

During the Summits, leaders of ASEAN and partner countries reached a consensus on measures to enhance cooperation against the COVID-19 pandemic, improve medical capacity and vaccine self-sufficiency, restore economic growth, and resume international travel.

They agreed on the need for peaceful settlement of disputes, full and effective implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC), and an effective Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC) that is in line with international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

On Thursday afternoon, Brunei transferred the ASEAN Chairmanship to Cambodia for 2022.