ASEAN Summits and related summits wrap up
The 38th and 39th ASEAN Summits and Related Summits, which were held via videoconference, concluded on October 28 after three days of sitting under the chair of Brunei Darussalam - Chair of ASEAN 2021.
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.
On October 28 afternoon, Brunei transferred the ASEAN Chairmanship 2022 to Cambodia.
