(Photo: VNA)

At a flag raising ceremony in Vientiane to mark the bloc’s 53rd founding anniversary, on Friday, Minister Saleumsay said that one of the important achievements is, as an intergovernmental regional organization, ASEAN's strengthened cooperation among member countries and between its dialogue partners.

As the region and the world are facing natural disasters and the coronavirus pandemic, ASEAN and its dialogue partners have been united to ensure continued implementation of initiatives, measures, and activities pursuant to the three set pillars.

ASEAN has established the COVID-19 response cooperation fund and a regional reserve for medical equipment and essential products as well as drawn up a post-COVID-19 comprehensive recovery plan.