An overview of the meeting (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) - A press statement by the Chairman of theASEAN Coordinating Council (ACC) was issued at the end of the special ACC meeting that took place in Vientiane, Laos, onFebruary 20.
The following is the full text of the Press Statement:
The ASEAN Coordinating Council (ACC) held a Special Meetingon 20 February 2020 in Vientiane, Lao PDR to discuss follow-up actions to theASEAN Chairman’s Statement on ASEAN collective response to the Coronavirus 2019(COVID-19).
The Ministers emphasised the importance of ASEAN solidarityand unity to effectively respond to challenges from the outbreak of COVID-19.
The Ministers reviewed ASEAN’s existing efforts both atnational and regional levels and in cooperation with external partners and theinternational community to prevent and control the spread of COVID-19;commended timely and effective actions undertaken by the ASEAN health sectorand relevant sectoral bodies, including the ASEAN defence establishments, asagreed by the ASEAN Defence Ministers in Hanoi on 19 February 2020.
The Ministers stressed the resolve of ASEAN Member States toprevent the impacts of the disease from affecting the overall ASEAN Communitybuilding process and the normal functioning of ASEAN.
The Ministers noted the outcome of the Special VideoConference of ASEAN Emergency Operations Center (EOC) Network with China on 20February 2020, which will further contribute to ASEAN-China’s collectiveefforts and coordination in addressing the outbreak of the COVID-19.
The Ministers discussed the way forward to further strengthenASEAN cooperation and collective action in curbing the threat from COVID-19 andagreed to:
- Reaffirm ASEAN’s cohesiveness through joint actions ofmutual assistance, including sharing transparent information, experience andbest practices, building capacity in the prevention, detection, research andtreatment of COVID-19 and other emerging infectious diseases; appropriateconsular support to ASEAN Member States’ citizens where needed; based onrelevant Guidelines agreed to by ASEAN Member States; expressed confidence inour collective ability to manage the situation.
- Enhance ASEAN’s responsiveness to act promptly andeffectively in the control of the disease through promoting multi-sectoral andwhole of ASEAN Community engagement, building upon existing efforts by theASEAN health sector; encouraging collective action by ASEAN with the enhancedrole of the ASEAN Coordinating Council as the main monitoring body and theASEAN Secretariat serving as the regional coordination hub that helpsfacilitate networking and exchanging of timely information among relevant ASEANbodies.
- Task the ASEAN Secretariat to regularly update the ASEANCoordinating Council on the ASEAN Collective Response to COVID-19.
- Intensify efforts to promote correct public awareness aboutthe COVID-19 situation.
- Call on ASEAN Member States’ governments and relevantagencies to duly inform the public on real-time situation, act responsibly anddecisively to stop the spread of disinformation and misinformation.
- Emphasise the high responsibility of Governments inensuring the accuracy of the information shared with their peoples and to otherMember States in the ASEAN Community on the actual situation in each countryand measures undertaken.
The ASEAN Coordinating Council shall prepare a consolidatedreport on the COVID-19 situation update and response to the 36th ASEAN Summitfor the Leaders’ further guidance and instruction.
The Ministers further reaffirmed their commitment tomaintaining ASEAN’s open economic and integration policies, fostering regionalresilience, while standing ready to explore cooperation with ASEAN’s externalpartners and the international community to enhance readiness and responsemeasures to mitigate and eliminate the impacts of the COVID-19.
The Ministers also welcomed cooperation and assistance fromASEAN Dialogue Partners, the WHO and other international and regionalorganisations to strengthen capacity for ASEAN in health emergency preparednessand response.
The Ministers looked forward to the Special ASEAN-ChinaForeign Ministers’ Meeting to be held on the same day which they believe willprovide good opportunities for ASEAN and China to deepen cooperation toeffectively respond to COVID-19.
The Ministers expressed their appreciation to the Governmentof the Lao PDR for the excellent arrangements made for the Meeting and the warmhospitality extended to their respective delegations./.
VNA
