ASEAN Chair 2020: Responsibility and opportunity for Vietnam

The recent establishment of the National ASEAN 2020 Committee is one of the initial steps that Vietnam has taken during the months of preparation for the task of the ASEAN Chair in 2020, said Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Quoc Dung.

Illustrative image (Photo: VNA)
Illustrative image (Photo: VNA)

On the sidelines of the committee’s launch ceremony in Hanoi on December 24, Dung, who is also General Secretary of the committee, stated that the 29-member committee is assigned to help the PM direct, supervise, coordinate and guide the ministries, offices and localities to work in the fields related to the preparations and implementation of the role

It plans to convene for nine periodical meetings between now and the end of December 2020, with further unscheduled meetings to be held if necessary.

Commenting on the responsibilities and opportunities that Vietnam will see when taking on the task of ASEAN Chair in 2020, the official said that Vietnam must work to maintain ASEAN growth and promote the building of a stronger ASEAN Community.

At the same time, Vietnam should take the guiding role in building an ASEAN with strong intra-bloc solidarity and an enhanced position and prestige in the region, with contributions to global processes, he said.

Deputy FM Dung also highlighted that the ASEAN Chair position in 2020 is also a chance for Vietnam to show its capacity as the host of the year, while introducing the nation to regional and international friends.