Vietnam – an active, responsible member in ASEAN in 2023
VOV.VN - In the overall achievements of ASEAN in 2023, Vietnam performed its role as an active and responsible member, and its practical contributions received attention and appreciation of regional and international countries.
2023 marked a challenging year for ASEAN amid global economic headwinds, but the grouping strived to weather difficulties towards the goal of becoming the epicenter of growth. It affirms that it will not turn the region into a place for power struggle, but a place to promote cooperation and dialogue, for peace and prosperity in the context of increasing global geopolitical conflicts.
With a ready, proactive, positive and responsible attitude, Vietnam made many important contributions to the overall success of ASEAN led conferences in 2023. The message that it wanted to convey in 2023 is the spirit of a united, resilient and strong ASEAN that is determined to make a substantive and effective contribution to the building of the ASEAN Community.
Vietnamese Ambassador to ASEAN Nguyen Hai Bang emphasized that Vietnam's initiatives were considered harmonious and balanced, contributing to both reconciling differences between regional countries and promoting intra-bloc cooperation as well as cooperation between ASEAN and its partners.
Vietnam’s contributions spanned all three pillars of politics, economic security and socio-culture. Regarding security politics, Vietnam, as Chair of ASEAN 2020, stressed that it was time for ASEAN to set a direction beyond 2025, recalled Ambassador Bang.
To realise Vietnam’s initiatives, he said the 2023 ASEAN Summit adopted a statement mapping out its community vision for 2045. Vietnam also supported and put forward many practical ideas for building the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific.
Economically, Vietnam also made a practical contribution to documents reached between ASEAN and its partners, with a view maintaining a peaceful and stable environment for cooperation and development within ASEAN.
The image of a more proactive, more positive, more responsible and more effective Vietnam in ASEAN cooperation also received attention, support and appreciation of international friends. US Ambassador to ASEAN Youhannes Abraham said that promoting Vietnam - US relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership in 2023 gave fresh impetus to the relationship between the US and ASEAN.
According to the US ambassador, both the US and Vietnam are committed to working even closer at various multilateral forums. When the US strengthens its relationship with one of the ASEAN member states, it will also help enhance the US’ cooperation with ASEAN. This view was clearly shown in the leaders’ statement on the central role of ASEAN and the US commitment to ASEAN.
In the context of ASEAN facing major challenges both inside and outside the region, Vietnam’s role and position was increasingly respected and appreciated. Many countries expected the country to play a bigger role in ASEAN, becoming a bridge between ASEAN and dialogue partners.
Japanese Ambassador to ASEAN Kiya Masahiko said Vietnam, a country located on an important sea route between the Pacific and Indian Oceans, is a key partner to solve regional and international security challenges. In addition, it is also a dynamic economy in ASEAN, focusing on maintaining supply chains and emerging as one of the promising destinations for Japanese companies.
As Japan is currently a large investor and ODA provider to Vietnam, therefore, strengthening bilateral cooperation between Vietnam and Japan will contribute to growth, peace and stability in the region as well as to realizing the goals of the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific, said the Ambassador.
ASEAN Secretary General Kao Kim Hourn emphasized that since joining the bloc for the past 28 years, Vietnam has not only seriously fulfilled its commitments and obligations of a member country, but has also made many important contributions to the development and growth of the bloc.
Whether it holds the role of the ASEAN Chair, performs duties in the ASEAN Secretariat or acts as a coordinating country with dialogue partners, Vietnam is always an active member, and it always promotes the interests of ASEAN countries, said the ASEAN leader. It can be said that Vietnam is always an active and proactive member, making great contributions to ASEAN, stressed the Secretary General.
Vietnam’s outstanding contributions to ASEAN along with its current achievements serve as the driving force to help the country confidently deploy its foreign policy towards an increasingly important role in the bloc in the next period.
