ASEAN resolves to become epicentrum of growth
VOV.VN - Foreign Ministers of ASEAN member states reaffirmed their support for joint efforts to realize Indonesia’s priorities during its ASEAN Chairmanship Year 2023 towards turning the bloc into an epicentrum of growth, at their meeting held on July 11 in Jakarta, Indonesia.
ASEAN is expected to become the epicentrum of growth that attracts investment and resources for development. Compared to other regions worldwide, the bloc has maintained its growth momentum, with positive signals recorded in domestic consumption, exports, and recovery in the service industry.
To meet expectations, the ministers agreed to further strengthen ASEAN’s resilience and adaptability to all opportunities and challenges posed to the region. They therefore underscored the need to further consolidate the bloc’s solidarity and centrality amid the current volatile strategic environment.
ASEAN should take the lead in shaping an open, transparent, inclusive, and rules-based regional architecture featuring the active participation and responsible contribution of partners for peace, stability, and prosperity in the region, they noted.
The ministers shared the view that cooperation in areas such as financial stability, supply chain resilience, digital health, energy security, and food security should all be promoted, thereby contributing to enhancing the bloc’s capacity and readiness to respond to both current and future challenges.
They agreed to promote the effective implementation of the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific, and encourage partners to substantively cooperate with the bloc in priority areas of connectivity, maritime co-operation, sustainable and economic development aimed at supporting the bloc’s community building endeavours, whilst contributing to peace, stability, and prosperity in the region.
In his remarks, Vietnamese Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son echoed the view of other delegates that ASEAN continues to be a bright spot in the global economy, with a positive growth forecast at 4.7% this year.
With the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic still lingering, the bloc needs to put economic and trade cooperation at the centre, making effective use of growth drivers in a bid to restructure the economy, said Minister Son, emphasizing that ASEAN needs to seize every opportunity so it is not left behind.
He welcomed Indonesia’s initiative to organise an ASEAN forum on the Indo-Pacific, with a specific focus on infrastructure, sustainable development, and the innovative economy. He also suggested that the bloc further increase cooperation in other potential areas such as the circular economy, energy transition, and climate change adaptation.
Affirming that peace, security, and stability represents the prerequisites for prosperity, the Vietnamese Foreign Minister highlighted ASEAN’s tradition of holding dialogues, increasing linkages, enhancing trust, overcoming differences, and reaching a general consensus.
With regard to its relations with partners, he said ASEAN should maintain a balanced approach, consult with partners on issues of mutual concern, whilst ensuring compliance with the bloc’s principles.
Minister Son reaffirmed and asked partners to respect ASEAN’s principled stance on the South China Sea, known as the East Sea in Vietnam.
The ministers are scheduled to hold an ASEAN Retreat on July 12 to touch upon regional and international issues of mutual concern.
