ASEAN expects members to commit to regional political and economic stability at the 53rd ASEAN Ministerial Meeting (AMM-53) and related meetings, which will take place from September 9-12 via videoconference, under the chair of Viet Nam. 

The 53rd ASEAN Ministerial Meeting (AMM-53) and Related Meetings take place
in Ha Noi from September 9-12 via videoconference, under the chair of Viet Nam. 

Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno LP Marsudi made that statement in a virtual ministry press briefing last week regarding issues to be discussed at the AMM-53.  

“In this series of ASEAN meetings, several outcome documents are planned to be adopted, including the joint communiqué of the AMM to emphasize the commitment of the foreign ministers to maintain regional political and economic stability”, she said.

The Indonesian FM added that: “The ratification of the Plan of Action between ASEAN and dialogue partners, as well as several other outcome documents, are still to be negotiated”.

Retno further said that on the sidelines of the meeting, ASEAN foreign ministers would also attend several other meetings, including the Dialogue on Strengthening Women’s Role for Sustainable Peace and Security, the AMM Interface with AICHR Representatives and the ASEAN Coordinating Council Special Meeting on Sub-Regional Cooperation.

According to a statement issued by the Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Cambodian Foreign Affairs Minister Prak Sokhonn will attend the AMM-53, the meeting of the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone Commission, the 27th ASEAN coordinating council meeting, special session of the ASEAN coordinating council meeting on sub-regional development.

In addition, he will join the ASEAN ministerial dialogue on strengthening women’s role for sustainable peace and security at the 53rd AMM, the 27th meeting of the ASEAN Regional Forum, and the ASEAN Post Ministerial Conferences with all ten dialogue partners of ASEAN, the statement said.

The statement read that these meetings will further promote ASEAN's unity and solidarity, resilience, integration and connectivity, as well as engagement with the global community.

"The meetings also address the COVID-19 socio-economic impacts and the ASEAN's comprehensive recovery plan," according to the statement.

According to the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs, while attending the AMM-53, Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Don Pramudwinai will use this opportunity to highlight the post-COVID-19 recovery plan, concretize the COVID-19 ASEAN Response Fund, and emphasize the importance of multilateralism and regionalism in addressing common challenges.

Deputy Prime Minister, Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh will chair the AMM-53 and related meetings from September 9-12 in form of video conference.

The regional foreign ministers will review the realization of the priorities and initiatives for 2020 and conduct mid-term evaluation of the master plans for implementation of the ASEAN Community Vision 2025.

They will also discuss the implementation of the ASEAN Charter and formation of the post-2025 ASEAN Community Vision among other issues.

It is expected that the participants will adopt 40 documents, including AMM-53 Joint Communiqué and the Ha Noi Plan of Action of the ASEAN Regional Forum to charter orientations for the forum’s cooperation in 2020-2025 period.

Founded in 1967, the ASEAN groups Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Viet Nam. Viet Nam is the Chair of ASEAN for 2020.