The event included the ASEAN Senior Economics Officials Meeting (SEOM), the meeting of the Senior Officials Committee for the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (SOCA), and the Joint Preparatory Meeting (JPM), focusing on preparations for the 16^th ASEAN Summit to be held in Hanoi on April 8-9.

ASEAN officials reached agreement on the summit agenda, programmes and lists of documents to be submitted to leaders and ministers for approval.

At the 16^th ASEAN summit, leaders will discuss measures to accelerate development of communities and implementation of ASEAN charter, strengthen co-operation inside the bloc, improve regional capacity for responding to rising challenges, and expand co-operation with partners.

Pham Quang Vinh, assistant to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and head of the SOM Vietnam  said that as an ASEAN presidency, and host of the 16^th ASEAN summit, Vietnam will actively work with member countries to complete preparations for the summit by April. Vietnam is ready to host the summit in Hanoi and has agreed with other countries to organise other sideline activities in Vietnam, he said.

Mr Vinh said that Vietnam plans to submit leaders initiatives to cope with challenges, such as climate change, economic restoration and sustainable development.