Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc announces “Cohesive and Responsive” as the theme for ASEAN Year 2020 following the 35th ASEAN Summit in Thailand on November 4, 2019. (Photo: VGP)

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc made this statement during his speech on Monday following the closing ceremony of the 35th ASEAN Summit and a ceremony handing over the ASEAN Chairmanship to Vietnam.

"Vietnam has chosen “Cohesive and Responsive” as the theme for ASEAN Year 2020. These two things are complementary. A cohesive and developed community needs to increase its responsiveness to external factors and, in return, responsiveness can only be attained if ASEAN is a strongly cohesive bloc," said Mr. Phuc.

"Vietnam looks forward to active support and assistance from other ASEAN members and partners in realizing the spirit of ASEAN Year 2020. ASEAN has grown over the past five decades and it’s time to connect and take action to develop sustainably in this changing world," the Vietnamese Prime Minister added.

The logo for ASEAN Year 2020 was unveiled, and a short video introducing the chairmanship of Vietnam was screened at the ceremony. The video highlighted Vietnam’s priorities for ASEAN Year 2020, including enhancing ASEAN’s unity and solidarity; boosting its regional connectivity and integration into the world; strengthening its commitment to resolving global issues; and improving its capacity for adapting to and capitalizing on the Fourth Industrial Revolution.