The 24th ASEAN Political-Security Community Council (APSC) Meeting, the 30th ASEAN Coordinating Council (ACC) Meeting and the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (AMM) took place virtually under the chair of Brunei, the current ASEAN Chair.

According to Son, Vietnam has played a key role in achieving ASEAN's priorities in 2021 and would work closely with other countries to make the upcoming meetings a success.

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Vietnamese Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son

In the fight against the pandemic, Vietnam recommends that ASEAN improve its vaccine self-sufficiency by establishing a regional supply chain, he said, adding that Vietnam will work together to hasten the establishment and operation of the ASEAN Center for Public Health Emergencies and Emerging Diseases (ACPHEED).

The minister also announced that the ASEAN forum on sub-regional cooperation for sustainable development and inclusive growth will be held in Hanoi on November 30.

The minister added that ASEAN should keep a careful eye on developments and maintain solidarity and self-resilience, as well as its centrality and independence, while pointing out challenges to ASEAN and the region.

Meanwhile, ASEAN should maintain a harmonious approach that keeps its stance and principles towards issues affecting regional peace and security, while encouraging its partners to actively engage in ASEAN-led mechanisms.

Regarding the East Sea (South China Sea internationally) issue, the minister emphasized the importance of building trust, exercising self-restraint, and settling disputes peacefully in accordance with international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea 1982 (UNCLOS 1982). Besides, ASEAN should promote close coordination with China to ensure the full and effective implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC), and build an effective and substantive Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC) that is consistent with international law and the UNCLOS 1982.

Translated by Chung Anh