Ambassador Vu Ho, Acting Head of SOM ASEAN Vietnam, led the Vietnamese delegation to attend the event.
During the ARF SOM, delegates reviewed situations and discussed cooperation orientations, international and regional issues of mutual concern, and made preparations for the ARF-30 Ministerial Meeting to be held next month.
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Ambassador Vu Ho speaks at the ARF SOM. |
The relevant parties acknowledged progress in ARF cooperation over the past time, and efforts in implementing the Hanoi Action Plan II (2020-2025). They also agreed on measures to accelerate the implementation of the remaining activities in the Hanoi Action Plan II and proposed plans for the 2023-2024 period.
Speaking at the meeting, Ambassador Vu Ho highlighted Vietnam’s contribution to ARF cooperation over the past time and discussed activities which Vietnam will co-hold in the 2023-2024 period.
He emphasized that after 30 years of construction and development, all participants should conduct an overall review of the ARF cooperation, thereby proposing orientations and measures to promote dialogue and build trust for peace, stability, and mutual development in the region.
Regarding international and regional issues, Mr. Ho expressed his concern about flashpoints in the region, and emerging non-traditional challenges, including cybersecurity, climate change, water security, and marine pollution, among others.
Talking about East Sea (South China Sea) issues, the Vietnamese official shared his worry about complicated developments in the waters, was in favor of ASEAN’s common principled stance and required that partners should respect international law, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) 1982, while operating in the sea, and join hands to build the East Sea of peace, stability, cooperation and development.
Translated by Song Anh