The summits were the most important high-level events of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in 2021 and the largest external activity that the Vietnamese Prime Minister was to attend this year.
Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh attended 14 out of 17 major activities, including the 38th and 39th ASEAN Summits, and ASEAN Summits with the Republic of Korea, China, the US, Japan, Australia, India, Russia, the ASEAN 3 Summit and the 16th East Asia Summit (EAS).
At these meetings, PM Chinh delivered important speeches, focusing 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 and multilateralisation, and comprehensive and intensive international integration, affirming that Vietnam is an active, proactive member and makes responsible contributions to ASEAN’s common affairs; stands side by side with countries to overcome difficulties; maintain solidarity; effectively cope with emerging challenges, and consolidates ASEAN’s central role, position and international voice.
During the meetings, leaders of ASEAN and partner countries reached high consensus on measures to enhance cooperation against the COVID-19 pandemic, especially improving medical capacity, vaccine self-sufficiency, restoring socio-economic development, and resuming travelling among nations in the new normal.
They pledged to step up collaboration in the fields of digital transformation and economy, green economy, effective response to climate change toward sustainable recovery and development.
The leaders also looked into emerging issues affecting peace, security and stability in the region and the world.
Regarding the East Sea issue, they heightened the sense of responsibility, spirit of law abidance, peaceful settlement of disputes, full and effective implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC), and building of an effective and efficient Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC) in line with international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
The leaders of the ASEAN and partner nations announced, adopted and took note of about 100 documents, including declarations, strategies, cooperation frameworks, plans of action, reports and vision papers in fields under three pillars of regional cooperation.
To promote the good outcomes of the ASEAN Chairmanship Year in 2020, Vietnam would continue to maintain its proactive and positive engagement and responsible contributions to the association's common affairs, while coordinating with Brunei to continue to implement priorities put forth by Vietnam in 2020 in association with ASEAN priorities in 2021, especially contents related to the bloc's response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the evaluation of the implementation of the ASEAN Charter, the building of the ASEAN Community’s Post-2025 Vision, and the promotion of ASEAN's role in sub-regional cooperation.
Vietnam’s participation in the summits also manifests the country’s wish to accompany other ASEAN member countries in overcoming difficulties; maintaining the ASEAN solidarity and unity; continuing the building of the ASEAN Community and enhancement of regional connectivity; effectively responding to emerging challenges; and reinforcing the central role, position and voice of the ASEAN in the international arena./.
Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh attended 14 out of 17 major activities, including the 38th and 39th ASEAN Summits, and ASEAN Summits with the Republic of Korea, China, the US, Japan, Australia, India, Russia, the ASEAN 3 Summit and the 16th East Asia Summit (EAS).
At these meetings, PM Chinh delivered important speeches, focusing 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 and multilateralisation, and comprehensive and intensive international integration, affirming that Vietnam is an active, proactive member and makes responsible contributions to ASEAN’s common affairs; stands side by side with countries to overcome difficulties; maintain solidarity; effectively cope with emerging challenges, and consolidates ASEAN’s central role, position and international voice.
 Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh delivers a speech at the 39th ASEAN Summit held via a videoconference. Photo: Duong Giang/VNA  Vietnameses delegates attend the summit in Hanoi. Photo: Duong Giang/VNA  The Vietnamese Prime Minister attends the 22nd ASEAN-RoK Summit held virtually. Photo: Duong Giang/VNA  The 22nd ASEAN-RoK Summit in Hanoi. Photo: Duong Giang/VNA  Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh attends the 24th ASEAN – China Summit held virtually. Photo: Duong Giang/VNA  The Vietnamese Prime Minister speaks at the 9th ASEAN – US summit held via a videoconference. Photo: Duong Giang/VNA |
During the meetings, leaders of ASEAN and partner countries reached high consensus on measures to enhance cooperation against the COVID-19 pandemic, especially improving medical capacity, vaccine self-sufficiency, restoring socio-economic development, and resuming travelling among nations in the new normal.
They pledged to step up collaboration in the fields of digital transformation and economy, green economy, effective response to climate change toward sustainable recovery and development.
The leaders also looked into emerging issues affecting peace, security and stability in the region and the world.
 9. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh attends the ASEAN – Japan Summit held via a videoconference. Photo: Duong Giang/VNA  The Vietnamese Prime Minister attends the annual first ASEAN – Australia Summit held via a videoconference. Photo: Duong Giang/VNA  Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh speaks at the 24th ASEAN Plus Three (South Korea, China and Japan) Summit held virtually. Photo: Duong Giang/VNA  Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh attends the 16th East Asia Summit (EAS). Photo: Duong Giang/VNA  Leaders from ASEAN member countries and India attend the ASEAN – India Summit. Photo: Duong Giang/VNA |
Regarding the East Sea issue, they heightened the sense of responsibility, spirit of law abidance, peaceful settlement of disputes, full and effective implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC), and building of an effective and efficient Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC) in line with international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
 The 4th ASEAN – Russia Summit to Commemorate the 30th Anniversary of Dialogue Relations, held virtually. Photo: Duong Giang/VNA  Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh attend the closing ceremony of the 38th and 39th ASEAN Summits. Photo: Duong Giang/VNA |
The leaders of the ASEAN and partner nations announced, adopted and took note of about 100 documents, including declarations, strategies, cooperation frameworks, plans of action, reports and vision papers in fields under three pillars of regional cooperation.
To promote the good outcomes of the ASEAN Chairmanship Year in 2020, Vietnam would continue to maintain its proactive and positive engagement and responsible contributions to the association's common affairs, while coordinating with Brunei to continue to implement priorities put forth by Vietnam in 2020 in association with ASEAN priorities in 2021, especially contents related to the bloc's response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the evaluation of the implementation of the ASEAN Charter, the building of the ASEAN Community’s Post-2025 Vision, and the promotion of ASEAN's role in sub-regional cooperation.
 Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh hosts a reception in Hanoi for ambassadors and charges d'affaires attending the 16th East Asia Summit (EAS). Photo: Duong Giang/VNA  The Vietnamese Prime Minister and ambassadors and charges d'affaires attending the 16th East Asia Summit (EAS) pose for a photo: Photo: Duong Giang/VNA  The 18th ASEAN – India Summit held virtually. Photo: Duong Giang/VNA  Vietnamese delegates attend the 16th East Asia Summit (EAS) held virtually in Hanoi. Photo: Duong Giang/VNA |
Vietnam’s participation in the summits also manifests the country’s wish to accompany other ASEAN member countries in overcoming difficulties; maintaining the ASEAN solidarity and unity; continuing the building of the ASEAN Community and enhancement of regional connectivity; effectively responding to emerging challenges; and reinforcing the central role, position and voice of the ASEAN in the international arena./.
By VNA/VNP
