The ASEAN Summit was the first high-level meeting hosted by Vietnam as the ASEAN Chair in 2020. The Summit took place at a time when the COVID-19 pandemic has posed large challenges to the region and the world.
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(Photo for illustration: tuyengiao.vn) |
According to the initial schedule, the 36th ASEAN Summit would have been organized in April. But this schedule has been canceled and the summit was held today via teleconferencing.
Since the beginning of 2020, Vietnam with its capacity as the ASEAN Chair has coordinated closely with other ASEAN member countries in crafting the general theme for ASEAN 2020 of “Cohesive and Responsive” in order to boost the building of the ASEAN Community and the role of the bloc in a changing world in 2020.
The sudden breakout of the COVID-19 pandemic in the region and the world has made the theme more suitable for the current situation.
It can be said that COVID-19 has been the largest challenge for human beings in modern times and the worst global crisis since WWII. The pandemic has also been the biggest test for the bloc since its inception more than half a century ago. Assuming the position of ASEAN Chair in this especially critical period, Vietnam is well aware of its responsibility and is committed to standing united with other ASEAN member countries to steer the ship of ASEAN out of difficulties.
In fact, Vietnam has brought into full play its ASEAN Chairmanship to actively boost the bloc’s unity and coordinate efforts in preventing and controlling COVID-19. After consulting leaders of other ASEAN member countries, Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc issued an ASEAN Declaration on February 14, 2020, affirming the strong resolve and political commitment of ASEAN in preventing and controlling the pandemic.
As the Chair of ASEAN in 2020, Vietnam has always promoted the spirit of “Cohesive and responsive” to lead the bloc in building coordination and cooperation mechanisms and organized a number of regional video-conferences at various levels. Particularly at the Special ASEAN Summit on COVID-19 in April, Vietnam proposed a number of specific approaches to fight the pandemic, including establishing a regional fund for COVID-19 prevention and control, building a regional medical equipment stock, drafting ASEAN regulations for emergency responses to epidemics, and developing an economic recovery plan for ASEAN.
Vietnam has also hosted online conferences between ASEAN and its partners, such as China, the U.S., the EU and Russia with the aim of fostering regional and international cooperation in preventing and controlling the pandemic as well as supporting each other’s efforts in the fight against COVID-19.
Throughout its 53-year history, ASEAN often becomes stronger after each challenge and crisis. It is time for ASEAN to continue that good tradition.
While the bloc should support its member countries, each member country should think and act for the sake of the community. Furthermore, all ASEAN member countries should have close coordination in terms of both policy and action.
Vietnam will do its utmost to achieve this common goal. The country also believes that with friendship, connection, unity and cooperation, ASEAN will strive to successfully overcome all difficulties and become more powerful in the post-pandemic period.
Written by Editorial Board
Translated by Thu Nguyen