VOV.VN - The nation has contributed to promoting ASEAN's role and resilience, along with bringing better initiatives to the region, according to Dr Hoo Chiew Ping, senior lecturer in Strategic Studies and International Relations under the National University of Malaysia (UKM).
In a recent media interview held following the conclusion of the 38th and 39th ASEAN Summits and related meeting, Dr. Ping highly appreciated various Vietnamese contributions, especially to the ASEAN Medical Supplies Reserve and the formation of an autonomous supply chain for COVID-19 vaccines.
Dr. Ping went on to state that stockpiling ASEAN medical supplies is an activity done in response to the global COVID-19 pandemic. Indeed, the bloc is one of the first regions in the world to have specific response funds aimed at combating the virus, so making good use of these funds by supporting vaccine research and development should therefore be a priority.
In order to maintain vaccine autonomy, Dr. Ping believes that an autonomous supply chain of health care and medical supplies will help to enhance the regional bloc's resilience.
Vietnam was one of the first countries in Southeast Asia to succeed in containing COVID-19 last year and has repeatedly demonstrated its ability to contain numerous outbreaks of new variants of the virus.
Moving forward, regional countries need to work together to fill the gaps, especially in terms of health infrastructure, which can be led by Vietnamese innovation in areas such as manufacturing test kits and vaccines, he continued.
Dr. Ping emphasised that the ability of Southeast Asian nations to generate their own supplies represents a very important factor to combat the global pandemic in the future.
Vietnamese contribution not only elevates ASEAN as a region on the world stage, but also strengthens intra-ASEAN resilience and brings about better initiatives moving forward.