The 37th ASEAN Summit and related summits opened at the international convention centre in Hanoi on November 11 via an online platform, with leaders of the 10 ASEAN member states and important partners in attendance.

Preparatory work for the 37th ASEAN Summit and related meetings 
(Photo: baoquocte.vn)

There are nine important activities, including an opening ceremony of the 37th ASEAN Summit, a plenary session of the 37th ASEAN Summit, an official announcement ceremony of ASEAN Year 2020 results, and four ASEAN +1 Summits with China, Japan, the Republic of Korea and India.

They also include seven ASEAN Plus One summits (between the bloc and China, Japan, the Republic of Korea, India, the US, Australia, and the UN), the 23rd ASEAN Plus Three Summit, the 15th East Asia Summit, the ASEAN-New Zealand leaders’ summit to commemorate the 45th anniversary of their dialogue relations, the summit of leaders of member countries of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), the Mekong-Japan Summit, the Mekong-Republic of Korea Summit, the 10th Cambodia-Laos-Myanmar-Vietnam Summit, the 11th Cambodia-Laos-Vietnam Summit on Development Triangle Area.

Notably, the ASEAN Women Leadership Summit is due to open at 7:00 p.m on November 12, with the participation of ASEAN female leaders. They will discuss objective to promote gender equality, empowerment and protection of disadvantaged women in the region.

Earlier on November 11 Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc inspected preparations for the 37th ASEAN Summit and related meetings. He asked the Foreign Ministry and relevant agencies to offer the best possible conditions for reporters to cover the events as a way of promoting Vietnam’s image.

Vietnam is set to hand over the ASEAN Chairmanship to Brunei at the closing ceremony.
The opening ceremony sees the attendance of about 250 Vietnamese and foreign guests, along with some 300 domestic and international reporters.

This 37th ASEAN Summit will also outline new orientations for ASEAN as the regional bloc is still carrying out a dual task of combating the COVID-19 and realizing the set goals of building a common community. This event is also an activity of special significance, putting an end to the impressive term of Vietnam's ASEAN Chair 2020.