Vietnam proposes postponing 36th ASEAN Summit, related meetings
ASEAN 2020: Vietnam proposes postponing 36th ASEAN Summit, related meetings
Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc on March 19 wrote to leaders of ASEAN countries and New Zealand proposing that the 36th ASEAN Summit, the ASEAN-New Zealand Summit and related meetings, initially scheduled for April 8-9 in Vietnam’s Da Nang city, be postponed until the end of June.
Da Nang International Airport. Illustrative image (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi, (VNA) – Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc on March 19 wroteto leaders of ASEAN countries and New Zealand proposing that the 36th ASEAN Summit, the ASEAN-New Zealand Summit and related meetings, initiallyscheduled for April 8-9 in Vietnam’s Da Nang city, be postponed until the endof June.
In his letter, PM Phuc affirmed that Vietnam has basically completed organizationalwork for the events, but the postponement is necessary in the context of theCOVID-19 epidemic spreading in the region and the world, and being declared apandemic by the World Health Organisation.
The Vietnamese Government leader expressed thanks to the countries forworking together with Vietnam to promote the building of a cohesive andresponsive ASEAN Community.
He affirmed that with resolve and joint efforts, solidarity and mutual compassion,the ASEAN Community will stand firm in the face of challenges, ensure apeaceful life for its people and prosperous development of its membercountries.
Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Quoc Dung handed over the PM’s letter tothe Ambassadors of ASEAN countries and New Zealand at a meeting in Hanoi onMarch 19.
The Deputy FM called on ASEAN countries to push ahead with efforts tomaintain cooperation and connection, and promote the spirit of a cohesive andresponsive ASEAN Community in the current difficult period under the impacts ofthe COVID-19 epidemic.
He asked ASEAN member states to continue coordinate closely to mitigatethe epidemic’s negative effects on the process of building the ASEAN Communityas well as on socio-economic situations in member countries.
He informed the ambassadors on measures that Vietnam, as ASEAN Chairthis year, will actively promoted in the time ahead in order to keep the paceof ASEAN working plans and bolster cooperation in preventing and controllingthe epidemic.
On the occasion, representatives from the Foreign Ministry’s ConsularDepartment informed the ASEAN Embassies about Vietnam’s measures to respond tothe COVID-19 epidemic
Ambassadors of ASEAN countries praised Vietnam’s preparations for ASEANevents and its effective response to the epidemic. They expressed support ofthe decision of the ASEAN Chair and pledged to continue working closelywith Vietnam to prepare for the 36th ASEAN Summit./.
The ASEAN Economic Ministers (AEM)-ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ABAC) Consultation and the 26th ASEAN Economic Ministers’ Retreat were held in the central city of Da Nang on March 10 with the participation of hundreds of ASEAN economic ministers, officials and ABAC experts.
The 26th ASEAN Economic Ministers (AEM)’ Retreat has approved Vietnam’s 12 prioritised initiatives on economic cooperation in ASEAN during the ASEAN Chairman Year 2020.
Within the framework of the 26th ASEAN Economic Ministers (AEM) Retreat in Vietnam’s central Da Nang city, the ministers on March 11 issued a joint statement on strengthening the bloc's economic resilience in response to the COVID-19 outbreak.
The Lao Government has decided to postpone all big meetings gathering large number of people for major celebrations in 2020 as a strong measure to prevent outbreaks of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
Vietnam has been consulting ASEAN member nations and partners about the possibility of postponing the 36th ASEAN Summit and related meetings in early April as scheduled due to complicated developments of the COVID-19 epidemic in the region and the world.
At their talks and meetings, President Cuong and Angola’s top leaders affirmed that the close brotherhood and traditional friendship are a valuable shared asset and a solid foundation for the two nations to advance into a new phase of development.
The ruling People’s Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) attaches great importance to the friendship, solidarity, and comradeship with the Communist Party of Vietnam, and voiced her Party’s wish to further deepen and expand relations between the two sides for the benefit of the Vietnamese and Angolan people.
Vietnam pledges to do its utmost to build an ASEAN of solidarity, consensus, and unity in diversity, and to foster a fast and sustainable development path for ASEAN, grounded in science, technology, and innovation, said Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh.
Party General Secretary To Lam called on the criminal police force to accelerate the application of science, technology, artificial intelligence, and digital transformation in criminal investigation tasks such as crime prevention, detection, tracking and verification, ensuring that no area remains out of their reach.
Many Koreans living, studying, and working in Hanoi see the upcoming state visit to the Republic of Korea (RoK) by Party General Secretary To Lam as an opportunity to generate strong synergy in economic cooperation, people-to-people exchanges, and cultural understanding.
The achievements of the five decades of Vietnam–Angola cooperation provide a strong and enduring foundation, as well as momentum for the two sides to consolidate, expand, and bring their partnership into a new phase of development.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh stressed that the emulation and commendation work is a vital driver, fostering patriotism, dedication, and collective momentum in the run-up to the 11th National Patriotic Emulation Congress, Party congresses at all levels, and the 14th National Party Congress.
Emphasising the need for sustainable, long-term collaboration, National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man called on Japanese investors not only to bring in capital but also to share expertise and modern technology, especially in areas such as green transformation, the circular economy, and advanced corporate governance.
President Luong Cuong's activities during his state visit to Angola, the celebration of the financial sector's 80th traditional day, and the Foreign Ministry's flag-hoisting ceremony marking the 58th founding anniversary of ASEAN are among news highlights on August 8.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Thailand Pham Viet Hung praised the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ meaningful initiative, noting that the ASEAN Family Run was not only a sporting activity but also an opportunity for diplomats and their families to show unity, connection, and solidarity within the ASEAN family.
Politburo member, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on August 8 attended the first congress of the Party Organisation of Tay Ho ward of Hanoi for the 2025–2030 term, during which he called for fresh momentum to turn the ward into a model that takes the lead in all fields.
The size of the economy increased from over 5 billion USD in 1986 to over 476 billion USD by 2024, making Vietnam the fourth-largest economy in Southeast Asia and the 34th largest in the world.
The ASEAN flag-hoisting ceremony is observed by the 10 ASEAN member countries on August 8 every year, aiming to spread and promote the ASEAN identity and affirm the determination to unite and cooperate for the common aspiration of long-term peace and prosperity of Southeast Asian countries under the common roof of the ASEAN Community.
Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Nguyen Manh Cuong highlighted ASEAN’s nearly six decades of development, during which the region transformed from division to harmony, from confrontation to cooperation, and from poverty to dynamic growth, becoming a global bright spot for regional cooperation.
Thirty years ago, on July 28, 1995, Vietnam’s accession to ASEAN marked a historic strategic decision, opening a new chapter in the country’s integration process and beginning its strong rise.
Ambassador Vu Le Thai Hoang has outlined specific priorities and proposals for cooperation with the UNODA in preparation for the upcoming 11th Review Conference of the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT).
The Vietnamese Party leader's visit is therefore expected to mark a new stage in the development of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two countries, with a focus on such areas as digital transformation, supply chains, semiconductors, clean energy, and maritime security, Choe assessed.
At their meeting, which took place in the Angolan capital of Luanda on August 7 as part of State President Luong Cuong’s ongoing state visit to the African nation, the two officials also agreed to make full use of existing cooperation mechanisms, particularly the Vietnam – Angola Intergovernmental Committee, and step up exchanges of delegations at all levels.
President Luong Cuong's talks with his Angolan counterrpart João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço, Vietnamese leader's receptions for a delegation from the Japan – Vietnam Parliamentary Friendship Alliance, and the Government's regular meeting for July are among news highlights on August 7 evening.
Over the past five decades, the Vietnam - Angola relationship has grown steadily, marked by political trust and close bonds between their Parties, States, Governments, and peoples, said Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son.
Da Nang International Airport. Illustrative image (Photo: VNA) 
