The ASEAN Summits take place in the context of complicated developments in the world and region while outbreaks of the COVID-19 pandemic have seriously affected the economic recovery and development of countries in the region.
Meanwhile, the uneven access to and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines makes the goal of community immunity unattainable. Global and regional economic recovery momentum is being maintained, but remains precarious. ASEAN economic growth is forecast to remain positive but decrease from 4.4% to 4%.
Strategic competition among major powers is increasing, which presents both opportunities and challenges for ASEAN in demonstrating and affirming its central position in the regional structure, as well as its neutrality and capacity to harmonise relations.
To promote the good results achieved in the ASEAN Chairmanship in 2020, Vietnam continues to work with ASEAN to maintain the momentum of cooperation as well as the central role and position of ASEAN. Vietnam will also coordinate with Brunei to promote the implementation of interests in 2020 aligned with goals set for 2021, particularly COVID-19 response, assessment of the implementation of the ASEAN Charter, the building of a Vision of the ASEAN Community after 2025, and the promotion of the role of ASEAN in sub-regional cooperation.
One of Vietnam's important contributions in 2021 is to promote ASEAN’s recognition of the UK as its 11th Dialogue Partner.
Attending the 38th and 39th ASEAN Summits and related meetings, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and ASEAN leaders will discuss and decide on key issues to realise ASEAN's goals.
At the events, Vietnam will prioritise cooperation in controlling the pandemic, promoting economic recovery, stabilising business opportunities and foreign investment after the pandemic, upholding ASEAN's stance on international and regional issues, and boosting sub-regional development cooperation.
Vietnam continues to affirm its active role and responsible contributions to ASEAN in handling emerging challenges, including Myanmar situation and strategic competition of major powers.
The 38th and 39th ASEAN Summits and related meetings are ASEAN's most important series of high-level events in the year and the largest-scale official multilateral foreign affairs activity that the Vietnamese Prime Minister will have attended since the 13th National Party Congress. This is an opportunity for Vietnam to continue affirming its foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, multilateralisation, diversification, and comprehensive and extensive international integration.
The participation of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and the Vietnamese delegation to the ASEAN Summits demonstrates Vietnam’s policy of “proactive contribution, positive behaviour and shared responsibility”. Vietnam will cooperate with other member countries to overcome challenges, maintain solidarity, promote the building of the ASEAN Community, and foster regional linkage in order to effectively respond to emerging challenges and strengthen the central role and voice of ASEAN in the international arena.
