PM Chinh attends 42nd ASEAN Summit’s retreat session

The leaders assessed that the international and regional situation is becoming increasingly complicated, which is resulting in a strong impact on the security and development environment, thereby posing many problems for ASEAN to deal with.

More than ever, the regional bloc’s solidarity, self-reliance, and strategic autonomy must be maintained and promoted amid the current context. This serves as a prerequisite to ensuring the success, role, prestige, and position of ASEAN, they stressed.

Furthermore, the emergence of increasingly multi-faceted and transnational issues such as climate change, epidemics, cybercrime, human trafficking, and transnational crime requires efforts and co-ordination of action from all countries.

The leaders therefore agreed to effectively and practically implement linkage frameworks both within the bloc and with partners, whilst sharing experience and support capacity building for ASEAN to respond to challenges.

Regarding the bloc’s external relations, members welcomed the new developments and consented to launch high-level activities between ASEAN and a number of partners in order to deepen practical ties.

The leaders also consented to strengthen ASEAN's solidarity and centrality by stepping up links and dialogue, whilst seeking to improve the overall effectiveness of ASEAN-led mechanisms. Countries encourage partners to make responsible contributions to regional co-operation, assist ASEAN in building the community, and jointly address common challenges.

Regarding in-depth discussions on international and regional issues, leaders of countries reaffirmed the bloc’s principled stance, as well as underlining the importance of ensuring peace, security, and stability in the East Sea. This is along with fully carrying out the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) towards soon achieving an efficient and effective Code of Conduct (COC) in the East Sea in accordance with international law, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

They supported promoting ASEAN's role in supporting Myanmar, accelerating the effective implementation of the Five-Point Consensus and sharing concern about the consequences of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, while emphasising adherence to the fundamental principles of the UN Nations Charter and international law.

PM Chinh shared that, after more than half a century of formation and development, the bloc is in its best position ever, despite facing numerous challenges like today. ASEAN is both the focus of a series of regional connectivity and connectivity initiatives, whilst simultaneously being the focus of intense strategic competition among major powers.

Amid this context, the Vietnamese Government leader emphasized that the requirement for ASEAN is to adapt dynamically and strengthen itself to affirm its strategic value.

The regional bloc needs to reinforce solidarity and unity, uphold the spirit of independence and self-reliance, strongly enhance its central role, maintain a strategic balance in relations with partners, whilst creating and promoting a culture of dialogue, co-operation, consultation, and trust building.

The Vietnamese Government chief underscored the need for ASEAN to maintain a principled stance on issues directly related to the development security environment mentioned in fundamental documents such as the ASEAN Charter, the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC), and the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP), all whilst respecting international law

Concerning the international and regional situation, PM Chinh shared a common assessment on the increasingly fierce strategic competition among major powers, while reaffirming the most important thing is for ASEAN member states to unite, promote a sense of responsibility and collective spirit for common goals, and harmonize national interests with those of the bloc.

Reaffirming its principled stance on regional and international issues of common concern, the Vietnamese cabinet leader emphasised the protection of peace, stability, security, safety, and freedom of navigation and aviation in the East Sea which is both the benefit and responsibility of all countries.

PM Chinh suggested that ASEAN, despite enduring difficulties, should be consistent with the goal of supporting Myanmar to fully implement its "Five-Point Consensus" for the people of Myanmar to contribute to the solidarity, prestige, and image of ASEAN. This is along with meeting the expectations of the international community, particularly by supporting the Indonesian President and Special Envoy in promoting the pioneering and leading role of ASEAN in realising these goals.

ASEAN needs to maintain an objective, balanced, and responsible approach to the Russia-Ukraine issue, co-ordinate with partners, minimise the impact of conflicts on the region, and jointly contribute to causes such as peace, stability, co-operation, and development, PM Chinh added.

The retreat meeting closed all activities of the 42nd ASEAN Summit. Immediately after the meeting, PM Chinh and his delegation left Labuan Bajo for Hanoi, thereby successfully concluding their working trip to the island nation.