ASEAN 2020: A cohesive and self-reliant community

Asean

06/12/2020 09:01 GMT+7

The 37^th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits have wrapped up successfully with more than 20 sessions and 80 approved documents, the largest number of documents ever. That is the last chain of activities and one of the most important activities for the Vietnamese ASEAN Chair in 2020.

Important decisions agreed

According to Deputy Foreign Minister and General Secretary of the National ASEAN 2020 Committee Nguyen Quoc Dung, other participating countries spoke highly of the theme selected for ASEAN this year - “Cohesive and Responsive ASEAN” that has become a “brand” of the bloc.

UNDP Resident Representative for Vietnam, Caitlin Wiesen, said that the theme selected for the ASEAN Year is appropriate and reflective, highlighting the importance of being cohesive and responsive at this tough time. ASEAN has united closely to proactively respond to great uncertainties and challenges, especially the COVID-19 pandemic.

Party General Secretary and President Nguyen Phu Trong delivers a speech
at the opening ceremony of the 37^th ASEAN Summit. Photo: Lam Khanh/VNA

The Vietnamese top leader and delegates at the opening ceremony
of the 37^th ASEAN Summit. Photo: Duong Giang/VNA

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc speaks opens the 37^th ASEAN Summit. Photo: Thong Nhat/VNA

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc chairs the plenary session of the 37^th ASEAN Summit. Photo: Thong Nhat/VNA

National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan attends the ASEAN Women Leaders' Summit. Photo: Thong Nhat/VNA

Delegates at the opening ceremony. Photo: Tri Dung/VNA

ASEAN leaders approved the Hanoi Declaration on the ASEAN Community’s Post-2025 Vision, with the expectation of building a solid foundation for the development path ahead of the ASEAN community.

Targeting toward a diverse identity community, the ASEAN leaders encouraged the flying of the ASEAN Flag in member states and the use of the ASEAN anthem in official ASEAN functions, popularizing an ASEAN image to people and communities. On the occasion, they also adopted the Hanoi Declaration on Strengthening Social Work towards Cohesive and Responsive ASEAN Community; and the Narrative of ASEAN Identity.

Priorities and ideas implemented effectively

At the summits, the ASEAN ideas of cooperation in response to COVID-19 and disease risks have been announced and put into implementation. These include the ASEAN COVID-19 Response Fund with 10 million US dollars donated from member states, (Vietnam contributed 100,000 US dollars); the Regional Reserve of Medical Supplies ( Vietnam contributed medical supplies worth 5 million US dollars). With assistance from Japan, ASEAN decided to establish the ASEAN Center for Public Health Emergencies and Emerging Diseases.

According to Lao Deputy Foreign Minister Thongphan Savanphet, Vietnam has played a central role in cooperation with ASEAN and non-ASEAN member states as well as created more cohesion and solidarity in ASEAN.

At the summits, the bloc agreed to expand the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC) that increased the number of member states to 43 with the welcoming of Cuba, Colombia and South Africa. The 15^th East Asia Summit (EAS) via video conference also approved important statements, including the Hanoi Declaration on the 15^th Anniversary of the East Asia Summit.

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc co-chairs the 23^rdASEAN - China Summit. Photo: Thong Nhat/VNA

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and his Japanese counterpart Suga Yoshihide
co-chair the 23^rd ASEAN – Japan Summit. Photo: Thong Nhat/VNA

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and President Moon Jae-in co-chair the 21^st ASEAN – RoK Summit. Photo: Thong Nhat/VNA

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi
co-chair the 17^th ASEAN - India Summit. Photo: VNA

The Vietnamese Prime Minister attends the ASEAN Business and Investment Summit 2020. Photo: VNA

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and the Republic of Korea's President Moon Jae-in co-chair the 2^nd Mekong - RoK Summit. Photo: VNA

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and his Japanese counterpart Suga Yoshihide
co-chair the 2^nd Mekong - Japan Summit. Photo: VNA

The Vietnamese Prime Minister chairs the 8^th ASEAN - US Summit. Photo: VNA

The Vietnamese Prime Minister and Prime Minister of New Zealand Jacinda Ardern
co-chair the ASEAN - New Zealand Commemorative Summit. Photo: Thong Nhat/VNA

The Vietnamese Prime Minister and his Australian counterpart Scott Morrison
co-chair the ASEAN - Australia Biennial Summit. Photo: Thong Nhat/VNA

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc hosts the 23^rd ASEAN Plus Three Summit. Photo: Thong Nhat/VNA

The Vietnamese Prime Minister hosts the ASEAN Plus Three Leaders' Interface
with Representatives of East Asia Business Council. Photo: Thong Nhat/VNA

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc witnesses the launch of the ASEAN smart logistics network (ASLN) in Hanoi. Photo: VNA

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc attends the 15^th East Asia Summit. Photo: VNA

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and Secretary-General of the United Nations Antonio Guterres
co-chair the 11^th ASEAN - UN Summit. Photo: Thong Nhat/VNA

Prime Minister Nguuyen Xuan Phuc, ASEAN Chair 2020, attends the signing ceremony
for the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) Agreement. Photo: Thong Nhat/VNA

Prime Minister Nguuyen Xuan Phuc, ASEAN Chair 2020, witnesses the signing ceremony
for the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) Agreement. Photo: Thong Nhat/VNA

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc attends the closing ceremony
of the 37^th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits. Photo: Thong Nhat/VNA

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, ASEAN Chair 2020, hands the ASEAN chairpersonship hammer
to the Ambassador of Brunei to Vietnam. Photo: Thong Nhat/VNA

The ASEAN Plus Three (APT) Leaders’ Statement on Strengthening ASEAN Plus Three Cooperation For Economic and Financial Resilience in the Face Of Emerging Challenges reaffirmed the role and strength of APT’s framework in response to the risks of financial - economic crisis in the region.

The official signing of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) Agreement indicated commitment and strong determination to trade liberalization and connectivity between ASEAN and its partners.

In the past, the cooperation and diplomatic ties of ASEAN and its partners have played an important role. At the 37^thASEAN summit, there were related summits between ASEAN and its partners, such as China, Japan, South Korea, the US, India, Australia, New Zealand and the UN. The outcomes of the summits reaffirmed the image of ASEAN’s dynamic cooperation and close connection, enhancing its position and centrality in the region.

Story: VNP - Photos: VNA

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