Vietnam strives to build more cohesive, responsive ASEAN
Vietnam has chosen “Cohesive and Responsive” as the theme of the ASEAN Chairmanship Year 2020, given the complicated developments in the region and the world that pose many challenges to multilateralism and free trade as well as the increasing non-traditional security threats.
Deputy Foreign Minister and General Secretary of the ASEAN National Committee 2020 Nguyen Quoc Dung (standing) speaks at the press conference in Hanoi on November 18 (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam has chosen“Cohesive and Responsive” as the theme of the ASEAN Chairmanship Year 2020,given the complicated developments in the region and the world that pose manychallenges to multilateralism and free trade as well as the increasingnon-traditional security threats.
At an international press conference in Hanoi onNovember 18, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and General Secretary of theASEAN National Committee 2020 Nguyen Quoc Dung said 2020 will be a significantyear to ASEAN in general and Vietnam in particular to review the mid-termimplementation of a general plan to build the ASEAN Community between 2015 and2025, and mark the 25th anniversary of Vietnam’s membership in theassociation.
Vietnam will also take the role of anon-permanent member of the United Nations (UN) Security Council for 2020-2021,he added.
The official affirmed Vietnam’s strongdetermination to build a more connected and stronger ASEAN community based onthe outcomes gained by the previous ASEAN Chairs, and highlighted the country’sfive priorities.
Firstly, Vietnam will promote ASEAN’s role andactive contributions to the maintenance of peace, security and stability in theregion on the basic of strengthening intra-bloc solidarity, unification andcoordination to address regional and international matters.
Secondly, Vietnam will promote regionalconnectivity and adaptation; optimise opportunities from the Fourth IndustrialRevolution to promote sustainable and inclusive growth in economy, finance, andsociety; narrow development gaps; build high-quality human resources; andincrease social services for vulnerable groups.
Thirdly, Vietnam will raise public awareness ofASEAN’s identity by creating common values of ASEAN and widely popularsing themamong people.
Fourthly, Vietnam will step up partnerships forpeace and sustainable development with all countries around the world andpromote ASEAN’s role in and contributions to the international community. And
Fifthly, Vietnam will improve the adaptation andoperational efficiency of ASEAN, and improve its institutional reform.
According to Dung, Vietnam will chair,coordinate and organise about 300 conferences and various activities during theASEAN Chairmanship 2020, including important events such as a summit in Apriland November and the 41st General Assembly of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assemblyin August.
Other meetings will focus on ASEAN’s threepillars – politics and security; economy; and culture-society./.
Ceremonies were held in Bangkok on November 4 evening to wrap up the 35th ASEAN Summit and related summits and hand over the ASEAN chairmanship for 2020 to Vietnam.
The chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) for 2020 that Vietnam officially assumed on November 4 will be a chance for the country to affirm its role and stature while further showing itself as an active member of the ASEAN Community.
Vietnam has been ready with organizational apparatus, personnel and projects and overall action plan for ASEAN Year 2020, said deputy spokesperson of the Foreign Ministry Ngo Toan Thang at a regular press conference in Hanoi on November 7.
The 25th ASEAN Transport Ministers’ Meeting (ATM 25) and related meetings have been a success with the signing of a number of important agreements to facilitate air, maritime and land transportation, Transport Minister Nguyen Van The told a press conference in Hanoi on November 15.
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) should exert more efforts to enhance internal integrity so as to flexibly cope with external challenges and impact, Defence Minister General Ngo Xuan Lich said on November 17.
State President Luong Cuong’s trip once again reaffirmed the Party and State’s foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, diversification and multilateralisation of relations. It also reflected the strong trend of enhanced cooperation among countries of the Global South in shaping a new, more multipolar, fair and equitable world order.
The outcomes of Party General Secretary To Lam's visit will serve as a driving force and source of inspiration for the two countries to inherit, promote, and elevate their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, contributing to the national construction and development cause in each country, and to peace, cooperation, and development in the region and the world.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on August 9 inspected the construction site of the new Phong Chau bridge, and surveyed a planned route for the Lao Cai – Hanoi – Hai Phong railway section running through the northern province of Phu Tho.
Across print, broadcast, and online platforms, Angolan media portrayed State President Luong Cuong's visit as a warm and historic occasion, strengthening bilateral ties and boosting Vietnam’s presence in Africa through the AU.
The 500kV Lao Cai – Vinh Yen power transmission line has a total investment of over 7.41 trillion VND (282.5 million USD), and a total length of 229.5 km, passing through 31 communes in the two provinces, and comprising 468 transmission tower foundations.
The visits reflected the elevated position of Vietnam’s foreign policy in the new era—aimed at not only advancing ties with key regional partners like Egypt and Angola but also delivering a strategic message about Vietnam’s commitment to deepening relations with African nations as a whole.
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.
Deputy Foreign Minister and General Secretary of the ASEAN National Committee 2020 Nguyen Quoc Dung (standing) speaks at the press conference in Hanoi on November 18 (Photo: VNA) 
