Maintaining solidarity

ASEAN Secretary-General Lim Jock Hoi reported to participants on the progress of implementing the political, security and foreign relations pillars of the ASEAN Community Vision 2025.

Specifically, the bloc’s foreign relations made substantive advances, improving the effectiveness of ASEAN-led mechanisms, building trust, and strengthening the association’s transparent, inclusive and rule-based structure.

Having surmounted the COVID-19 pandemic, and resumed economic activities, the regional economic growth rate is forecast to reach 5.3 percent and 4.9 percent in 2022 and 2023 respectively, a significant increase compared to other parts of the world. Member countries affirmed that the key to ASEAN\'s success lies in their efforts and determination to maintain the unity and central role of the regional bloc.

However, ASEAN is also facing numerous difficulties and challenges. In his opening speech, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, whose country chairs ASEAN in 2022, emphasized the need to maintain solidarity and unanimity to overcome these challenges together and build a resilient community for all people.

Helping Myanmar

Since Vietnam officially joined ASEAN in 1995, it has made important contributions to the bloc’s development, implementing its commitments and obligations and realizing the ASEAN Vision 2025.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh attends the ASEAN Summits

PM Pham Minh Chinh affirmed that as a responsible member of the international community in general and ASEAN in particular, Vietnam is committed to creating the best business environment. In particular, as the coordinator for ASEAN relations with the Republic of Korea (RoK), Vietnam will join other countries to develop these ties in a more substantive and effective manner.

Regarding international and regional issues, PM Pham Minh Chinh emphasized that ASEAN should adopt a steadfast, skillful, harmonious, and balanced approach to urgent issues in the region. He also appealed for continued persistence in the implementation of the Five-Point Consensus to help Myanmar, a member of ASEAN, find feasible and durable solutions to overcome its difficulties.