Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc (fifth from right) and other ASEAN leaders pose for a photo at the opening ceremony of the 35th ASEAN Summit in Bangkok on November 3 morning (Photo: VNA) Bangkok (VNA) – Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phucjoined leaders of other ASEAN countries and the bloc’s partners at the openingceremony of the 35th ASEAN Summit in Bangkok on November 3 morning.
In his opening speech, Thai PM Prayut Chan-o-chareviewed the grouping’s achievements this year under the theme “AdvancingPartnership for Sustainability” to help create a people-oriented andpeople-centred ASEAN Community that leaves no one behind and looks towards thefuture.
ASEAN has made strong strides through theimplementation of the ASEAN Leaders’ Vision Statement on Partnership forSustainability and the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific, he noted.
The Thai PM also pointed out the issues ASEANand the world are facing, including increasing challenges and uncertainties,noting that aside from promoting growth, the association also needs to addressproblems on developing human resources; conserving the environment; fightingmarine debris, haze pollution and IUU fishing; promoting an ASEAN identity; andstrengthening partnerships with partners.
At the same time, it is also necessary to createa favourable environment for long-lasting peace and stability while promoting dynamiceconomic growth and sustainable development, the host leader said.
He also asked the relevant parties to continueworking to conclude negotiations on the Regional Comprehensive EconomicPartnership (RCEP) within this year to stimulate economic growth, as well astrade and investment.
According to him, to achieve all these, ASEANneeds a new “growth paradigm” which fosters dynamic, sustainable and inclusiveeconomic growth, and prioritises human capital development concurrently withenvironmental conservation.
Following the opening ceremony, the ASEANleaders attended meetings with the bloc’s partners, namely the 22nd ASEAN-ChinaSummit, the 16th ASEAN-India Summit, and the 10th ASEAN-UN Summit.
The 35th ASEAN Summit and related summits areunderway in Bangkok with the participation of leaders from the 10 ASEANcountries and partners (China, Japan, the Republic of Korea, India, Australia,New Zealand, the US, and Russia), along with UN Secretary General AntonioGuterres./.
VNA
