World

Building ASEAN Community remains top priority: Senior ASEAN officials

Successfully building the ASEAN Community continues to be a top priority of the bloc despite the difficulties and challenges posed by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, ASEAN member states reiterated at the ASEAN Senior Officials’ Meeting (SOM), which was held online on July 16 and chaired by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Quoc Dung.
Building ASEAN Community remains top priority: Senior ASEAN officials ảnh 1Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Quoc Dung chairs the online ASEAN Senior Officials’ Meeting on July 16 (Photo: VNA)

Hanoi (VNA) - Successfully building the ASEAN Community continues to be a toppriority of the bloc despite the difficulties and challenges posed by theongoing COVID-19 pandemic, ASEAN member states reiterated at the ASEAN SeniorOfficials’ Meeting (SOM), which was held online on July 16 and chaired by DeputyMinister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Quoc Dung.

Membersare committed to coordinating with Vietnam - Chair of ASEAN in 2020 - toimplement priorities and initiatives during the year, including the mid-termreview of the implementation of the ASEAN Community Vision 2025, the ASEANCharter, and preparations to build the ASEAN Community Vision post-2025.

Theywelcomed the operation of the ASEAN Fund for COVID-19 response and discussedthe next steps to complete holistic post-pandemic recovery.

Participantsspoke highly of Vietnam’s successful organisation of the ASEAN forum on sub-regionaldevelopment in Hanoi on July 14 under the theme “Converging Mekong sub-regionalcooperation with ASEAN goals”.

Regardingexternal relations, participants held that it is necessary to maintain thecentral role of ASEAN and step up pragmatic cooperation with the bloc’s partners,especially at this difficult time.

ASEANexpects to approve eight action plans in the 2021-2025 period with partners Canada,China, India, New Zealand, the Republic of Korea, Russia, the US, and theUnited Nations.

Membercountries spoke highly of the role of ASEAN+3 and agreed to promote cooperationto cope with COVID-19 and revive the economy, in particular improving regionalfinancial and economic self-reliance.

Theyalso discussed measures to strengthen the role and strategic value of the EastAsia Summit (EAS) in the new development period, and increase capacity to dealwith emerging challenges.

Foundedin 1967, ASEAN groups together ten member countries: Brunei, Cambodia,Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, andVietnam./.
VNA
#ASEAN 2020 #ASEAN Community #ASEAN Senior Officials’ Meeting #COVID-19 #Chair of ASEAN #East Asia Summit #Mekong sub-regional cooperation #updated Vietnam news #Vietnamplus #Vietnam News Agency ASEAN
Follow VietnamPlus

Related News

Vietnam shares ASEAN’s experience at UN Virtual Counter-Terrorism Week

Vietnam shares ASEAN’s experience at UN Virtual Counter-Terrorism Week

The key to prevent and counter the threats of terrorism lies in addressing the root causes of terrorism, including unemployment, injustices, inequities, discrimination, marginalisation and unresolved conflicts, said Ambassador Dang Dinh Quy, Head of the Vietnam Permanent Mission to the UN, while addressing the Interactive Closing Session of the UN Virtual Counter-Terrorism Week in New York on July 10.
COVID-19 - A test of ASEAN’s calibre

COVID-19 - A test of ASEAN’s calibre

Southeast Asia was the first region in the world to be affected by COVID-19 due to its geographic proximity and close trade relations with China, where the outbreak began.
ASEAN forum on sub-regional development opens

ASEAN forum on sub-regional development opens

ASEAN should prioritise the enhancement of connectivity, sustainable and inclusive development, and the improvement of its role in sub-region cooperation, including Mekong collaboration, Vietnamese Minister of Industry and Trade Tran Tuan Anh has said.
ASEAN looks to boost sub-regional development

ASEAN looks to boost sub-regional development

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is emerging and playing a central role in the region, thus looking to converge Mekong sub-regional cooperation with its development goals, according to Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Quoc Dung, head of the SOM ASEAN Vietnam.

See more

(Photo: https://thainews.prd.go.th/)

Thailand targets Krabi-Phuket seaplane launch in 2026

The ministry is also establishing a Strategic Integration Committee for the Development of Water-Based Aircraft Operations to coordinate implementation, develop operational guidelines, and ensure compliance with aviation safety standards.

Indonesia eyes becoming regional gold finance hub

Indonesia eyes becoming regional gold finance hub

In the long term, Indonesia aims not only to export raw gold but also to establish itself as a regional gold finance hub, generating greater value-added for its economy and enhancing its role in the global financial system.

A passenger train operated by State-owned railway operator PT Kereta Api Indonesia (KAI) departs from Tugu station in Yogyakarta city, Indonesia (Photo: VNA)

Indonesia tests biofuel for trains

KAI Vice President for Corporate Communications Anne Purba said the transition to B50 biofuel will be carried out in phases and undergo a rigorous testing process to meet the operational requirements of the railway industry, which demands high reliability and continuous operation.

Aircraft park at Suvarnabhumi Airport of Thailand. (Photo: AFP/VNA)

Thailand targets regional aviation hub status by 2029

Thailand is embarking on a wave of aviation infrastructure projects to capitalise on its strategic location between the world’s two most populous markets China and India, thereby cementing Thailand’s role as a key transit and logistics hub in ASEAN and Asia.

Thailand ramps up efforts to eliminate child labour

Thailand ramps up efforts to eliminate child labour

Deputy Government Spokesperson Phatdarasami Thongsaluaykorn noted that alongside ensuring access to education, the Thai Government is promoting vocational skills development and age-appropriate employment opportunities to help young people gain work experience in safe environments while preparing a skilled workforce for the future.

Indonesia digitises, modernises dairy production

Indonesia digitises, modernises dairy production

In addition, the Indonesian government is carrying out a programme to subsidise up to 35% of investment costs for new machinery and equipment for dairy processing enterprises, cooperatives, and farmer groups participating in the supply chain.

A view of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (Photo: AFP/VNA)

Malaysia’s 2026 inflation expected to remain under control

Malaysian Minister of Economy Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir said on June 15 that the Government is committed to ensuring that inflation does not have a major shock effect on the economy and the cost of living even though price pressures are expected to continue.

Thailand thwarts major drug trafficking operation along Mekong River

Thailand thwarts major drug trafficking operation along Mekong River

Royal Thai Navy Spokesperson Rear Admiral Paraj Ratanajaipan emphasised that the Royal Thai Navy and allied security agencies remain fully coordinated, enforcing strict border surveillance and legal measures to dismantle trafficking routes, safeguard national security, and protect the public.

The 24th meeting of the ASEAN-Russia Joint Cooperation Committee at ambassadorial level in April 2026. (File photo: VNA)

ASEAN-Russia economic cooperation gains new momentum after 35 years of partnership

As leaders gather in Kazan, Russia, for the ASEAN-Russia Commemorative Summit marking the 35th anniversary of dialogue relations from June 16-18, the implementation of a “sectoral strategic partnership” model and efforts to connect Eurasian economic spaces are expected to provide fresh momentum for bilateral cooperation while enhancing energy security and technological development.