Participants include ASEAN Secretary-General Lim Jock Hoi and representatives from ASEAN Secretariat, Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA), Vietnamese ministries and businesses.

In his opening remarks, Deputy Foreign Minister Dung expressed his belief that this is a very good opportunity to discuss on how best the ASEAN Secretariat and the Chair could work together during Chairmanship of ASEAN next year that Viet Nam is about to assume.

Dung stressed that the year 2020 is of special significance to Viet Nam as we celebrate the 25th anniversary of our admission to ASEAN.

It also marks the mid-term point of the implementation of the ASEAN Community Vision 2025.

Dung affirmed Viet Nam gives high importance to the ASEAN Chairmanship next year and has made every necessary step to well prepare for this crucial task.

He called on ASEAN countries to re-double efforts to sustain the momentum for cooperation and integration, reinforcing ASEAN Centrality in the region and pro-actively respond to the transforming circumstances.

Addressing the event, Secretary-General Lim spoke highly of Viet Nam’s contributions to the bloc as well as the country’s rising role and position in the region and the world.

He vowed to do his utmost to coordinate closely with Viet Nam to successfully realize set goals during the ASEAN Chairmanship Year./.