The annual foreign deputy ministerial-level conference aimed to review cooperation between ASEAN and the US, discuss measures to further bolster their partnership, and compared notes on regional and global issues of common concern.
In his speech on maritime security cooperation, Deputy FM Dung said that this field has become very important and a topic discussed at almost regional cooperation forums, saying that there have been some positives in the work, especially those in negotiations between ASEAN and China on a Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC).
He called on ASEAN, the US and their partners to further expand cooperation through ASEAN-led cooperation mechanisms such as the ASEAN Regional Forum, the East Asia Summit (EAS) the ASEAN Defence Minister's Meeting Plus (ADMM Plus) and the Expanded ASEAN Maritime Forum (EAMF).
He reaffirmed ASEAN's stance of self-restraint, non-militarisation and peaceful settlement of disputes in line with international law, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, and fully and effectively implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) and soon achieve the COC.
At the dialogue, representatives from ASEAN member states and the US highlighted the importance of the ASEAN-US strategic partnership for security and prosperity in the region.
They also identified a number of priority areas in cooperation, including fighting terrorism and transnational crime and human trafficking; cyber security; trade and investment; digital connectivity; information technology and communications; smart city; energy; infrastructure, sub-region development; humanitarian assistance and disaster management; and education and student exchange.
Participates also discussed regional and international situations and shared information on regional cooperation processes promoted by the parties, with focus on Indo-Pacific cooperation.
