Vietnamese Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son leads a Vietnamese delegation to online meetings within ASEAN and between ASEAN and its partners from August 2-6, 2021. (Photo:MOF)

The 54^th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, the 23^rd ASEAN Political-Security Community (APSC) Council Meeting, the 29^th ASEAN Coordinating Council (ACC) Meeting, the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone (SEANWFZ) Treaty Commission’s meeting, and an annual dialogue between ASEAN Foreign Ministers and representatives of the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights were convened on Monday.

ASEAN foreign ministers said ASEAN wants to help Myanmar solve its problems and provide humanitarian aid to Myanmar in response to COVID-19 through the ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on Disaster Management.

Vietnamese Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son, who led a Vietnamese delegation to the events, said ASEAN needs to promote ASEAN-led mechanisms and take a comprehensive approach to relations with its partners.

He said an environment of peace, security, and stability is a prerequisite for coping with the COVID-19 pandemic, spurring recovery, and maintaining regional growth. He said ASEAN is consistent about settling disputes via peaceful means in line with international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

He affirmed Vietnam’s support for ASEAN continuing to advise countries that possess nuclear weapons to join the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone (SEANFWZ) treaty and welcomed ASEAN’s plan to create rules on radiological and nuclear emergency preparedness and response.

ASEAN foreign ministers held online meetings with South Korea, China, and Japan on Tuesday.