Timor-Leste is steadily carving its place in the ASEAN family, with several milestones already achieved under the official roadmap, said ASEAN Secretary-General Dr Kao Kim Hourn.

The ASEAN Community Vision 2045, along with new cooperation strategies, will serve as a framework for joint action, proactive adaptation, and enhanced development in the region, Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son said, stressing the need for ASEAN to strengthen its resilience, particularly economic resilience, to withstand external shocks.

To affirm itself as an epicentrum of growth amid the rapid movements in the regional and global strategic environment, ASEAN needs to strongly promote its solidarity, unity, strategic autonomy, and centrality, affirming the mission of maintaining peace, stability and development in the region, stated Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son.

The 38th and 39th Summits of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and related meetings opened on October 26 under the chairmanship of Brunei – the country holding ASEAN chair in 2021.

The 26th ASEAN Economic Ministers Retreat and related meetings took place in the central city of Da Nang from March 8-11. Amid the outbreak of COVID-19, Vietnam has increased protective measures to ensure safety for delegates to the events.