Contributing to promoting multilateral cooperation for common development

Under the theme “Strengthening Multilateralism for Shared Growth”, the 13th Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) Summit is being held via videoconference from November 25 to 26. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh is attending the event at the invitation of Prime Minister of Cambodia Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen.

Cambodian Prime Minister speaking at the 1st Asia-Europe Economic and Business Forum in Phnom Penh - a side event of the ASEM13. (Photo: Tran Viet/VNA)
Cambodian Prime Minister speaking at the 1st Asia-Europe Economic and Business Forum in Phnom Penh - a side event of the ASEM13. (Photo: Tran Viet/VNA)

With 53 members, accounting for about 60% of the world's population, 65% of global GDP and 55% of global trade, ASEM is the most extensive dialogue mechanism connecting Asian and European countries.

2021 marks the 25th founding anniversary of ASEM with strengthened cooperation among ASEM members and an enhanced voice in regional and international issues. The content of ASEM cooperation has been constantly expanding, focusing on implementing sustainable development goals and responding to global challenges.

Over the past 25 years of participation in the forum, Vietnam has always shown its positivity, dynamism and responsibility, marking important milestones in the development of ASEM. Vietnam participated in proposing and promoting the expansion of ASEM through many important decisions, guiding the cooperation process of the forum.

Vietnam's position within the forum has been increasingly enhanced thanks to its socio-economic development achievements, the successful assuming of multilateral responsibilities and effective contributions to ASEM cooperation.

As one of the most active members, Vietnam has proposed 29 initiatives and co-sponsored 31 initiatives in priority and practical areas, including culture, health, transportation, energy security, food security, climate change combat, green growth, digital economy, and others.

Vietnam participated in the initiation of ASEM's first cooperation mechanism on water resource management, focusing on sub-regional cooperation of riverside countries. Having held many key positions at the forum, Vietnam is actively promoting its role in five specialised cooperation areas of ASEM, including water resource management, disaster response, vocational training, human resource development and technology connection.

Vietnam successfully organised the ASEM High-Level Policy Dialogue in 2021, discussing the forum's cooperative vision for the new period.

Bilateral relations between Vietnam and ASEM members are being increasingly deepened, becoming substantial and sustainable. The good neighbourly relations, traditional friendship, comprehensive and long-term sustainable cooperation between Vietnam and Cambodia are constantly being cultivated. The European Union (EU) expects Vietnam to be a bridge and key partner and play a central role in connecting the EU with Southeast Asia.

At the 13th ASEM Summit, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and leaders of member countries will discuss regional and international issues and the forum's cooperation orientations in order to strengthen the multilateralism for global peace and stability, international trade, and sustainable and inclusive growth.

Vietnam will propose and contribute initiatives to improve the effectiveness of ASEM cooperation with the aim of controlling the COVID-19 pandemic, fostering economic recovery, and stabilising the business and investment environment in the post-pandemic period.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh's attendance at the 13th ASEM Summit is a further step in the implementation of the 13th Party Congress's foreign policy on boosting proactive and comprehensive international integration and strengthening the level of multilateral diplomacy. At the same time, it shows that Vietnam attaches importance to ASEM cooperation and appreciates the forum's contributions and Vietnam will continue to improve the efficiency of ASEM cooperation, strengthen Asia-Europe connectivity, and promote multilateralism for peace, stability and development in the two continents and in the world at large.