Vietnam prepares for 37th ASEAN Summit

Addressing the meeting, Deputy Minister Dung affirmed that since the beginning of the year ASEAN has been active in working in the spirit of solidarity and responsibility and under a motto of cohesiveness and responsiveness amidst great and unpredictable challenges both regionally and globally.

With Vietnam serving as the Chair of ASEAN for the year, regional countries have focused their efforts on key contents put forward by the bloc, such as continuing to develop the regional community, and co-operating closely in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, members have been striving to strengthening relations between ASEAN and its partners both inside and outside the region.

Deputy Minister Dung therefore emphasised the importance of the meeting, which he said sets out to finalise preparations ahead of the 37th ASEAN Summit and related meetings which are due to take place this week.

The upcoming event will mark a final series of high-level meetings held by ASEAN under the chairmanship of Vietnam, the Deputy Minister noted. This includes the ASEAN Ministers Meeting, the 37th ASEAN Summit, the 22nd ASEAN Political-Security Community (APSC) meeting, 28th ASEAN Coordinating Council Meeting, along with conferences between ASEAN and its partners.

During the meeting, senior officials exchanged views on important regional and global issues of mutual concern, especially with regard to initiatives on COVID-19 prevention, post-COVID situation, as well as co-operation with the bloc’s partners.

The upcoming summit is anticipated to see more than 80 documents submitted to ASEAN leaders for approval, a record high number in terms of documents, Deputy Minister Dung revealed.