Party General Secretary and State President Nguyen Phu Trong has emphasised that maintaining peace, stability, solidarity, and unity underlined by the principle of international law in the region should continue to be part of the core values of Southeast Asia and the ASEAN Community.

Vietnamese leaders and international guests attend
the opening ceremony of the 37th ASEAN Summit

This comes as the 37th ASEAN Summit and related summits opened at the Hanoi International Convention Centre on November 12 via a videoconference, with leaders from each of the 10 ASEAN member states and important partners in attendance.

During his welcoming speech, Trong said that the outbreak of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has claimed the lives of millions of people worldwide whilst upsetting the daily life of citizens globally and seriously affecting socio-economic achievements that have been accumulated over decades. As a result, the year is witnessing extensive and complex changes in the world’s current situation.

It is therefore more necessary than ever for nations to strive for peace, stable co-operation, and greater development, while people must be cared for, protected, and helped to overcome this challenging period. This can only be possible if conflicts of interests, differences in thinking, and approaches are resolved through mutual trust, a constructive spirit, and an attitude of goodwill, said the top Vietnamese leader.

General Secretary and State President Nguyen Phu Trong gives an opening speech
at the 37th ASEAN Summit

According to General Secretary Trong, amid the challenging situation, signs of co-operation are emerging in terms of dealing with issues in the Asia-Pacific region, an attitude that is a core for ASEAN.

"In 2020, all ASEAN members have shown their determination and great efforts to overcome plenty of difficulties and challenges. From political commitments at the highest level to synchronous and smooth implementation among member countries, we have witnessed a strong spirit of a cohesive and responsive ASEAN in preventing and containing COVID-19, as well as supporting people and businesses in overcoming the consequences of the pandemic, and promoting economic recovery.

Public confidence in regional governments' ability to respond to the pandemic is at a high level," he said.

General Secretary Trong stated that ASEAN’s position in the post-COVID-19 world represents a major hurdle. Despite this, a strong desire and will to maintain peace regionally, stability, solidarity, and unity on the basis of international law, has and should continue to represent the core values of Southeast Asia and the ASEAN Community.

Amid this context, ASEAN members must show their skill and spirit whilst boosting closer co-ordination as a means of meeting recovery initiatives and plans, with new, substantial, and effective modes of operation and co-operation. Frameworks for dialogue and co-operation in the region, with ASEAN as a central role, need to be brought into full play with a full set of values. If these steps are followed then ASEAN can make both positive and effective contributions to joint efforts in order to promote multilateral co-operation, uphold international law, and strengthen the international multilateral system, with the UN serving as the core.

In relation to the nation, the top Vietnamese leader said the country will always pursues a policy of maintaining independence, self-reliance, multilateralisation, and diversification with foreign relations. Thereby, the nation hopes to represent a friend, a trusted partner, and an active and responsible member of the international community that strives for peace, co-operation, and greater development.

In the country’s role as ASEAN Chair 2020 and in the spirit of "cohesion and proactive adaptation", the nation respects the solidarity and valuable support shown by member countries, partners, and friends. Due to this General Secretary Trong believes that ASEAN will firmly overcome challenges ahead, maintain the momentum of closer connections, along with strengthening ASEAN's central role in building a peaceful, friendly, co-operative, and neutral Southeast Asia region.

Through confidence in ASEAN's solidarity and community strength, General Secretary Trong wished great success for the 37th ASEAN Summit and related meetings, pledging to continue helping ASEAN achieve new important steps of development in the near future, thereby meeting people’s expectations.

Following this, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc delivered a speech opening the 37th ASEAN Summit, while affirming that this is the last high-level meeting of the ASEAN Year hosted by Vietnam as ASEAN Chair 2020.

As a result it will be an opportunity for ASEAN to comprehensively evaluate the results of co-operation throughout the year, including activities within the bloc as well as its work alongside partners towards setting priorities for the next phase.

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc addresses the event 

According to PM Phuc, the 37th ASEAN Summit and related meetings are of great significance for finalising the implementation of priorities set out for 2020 and the appropriate orientation for the stage.

Looking ahead to the 37th ASEAN Summit, ASEAN members are expected to establish a regional reserve of medical supplies that will enable a rapid response for emergency needs and standard procedures in response to pandemics.

After receiving support from Japan, the group agreed to form the ASEAN centre for public health emergencies and emerging diseases, PM Phuc said, adding that these co-operation outcomes are significant in order to improve capacity to respond to medical emergencies and future disease risks.

The leader therefore stressed that the pandemic has failed to hinder the processes of the ASEAN Community, with co-operation making up one of the three pillars of the master plans for the ASEAN Community’s Vision 2025.

The Vietnamese government leader underscored the need to raise institutional capacity, in addition to the capacity to effectively operate ASEAN apparatus in order to adapt to the latest requirements dictated to by the ever-changing situation.

Moving forward, reviewing the implementation of the ASEAN Charter is necessary with each leader set to look at this important task during the 37th Summit, he said.
In terms of realising the dual tasks of containing the pandemic whilst also promoting recovery, the leaders will officially approve the ASEAN Comprehensive Recovery Framework along with a detailed implementation plan for each pillar.

Efforts have also been made to promptly step up plans to maintain production and supply chains, enhance connectivity, and restore trade throughout the region. Meanwhile, a safe travel framework for businesses and investors has also been formed amidst COVID-19.

“Firstly, we would consider resuming a common route for ASEAN citizens at border gates,” the PM suggested.
Emphasizing the current risks to global peace and security, PM Phuc said ASEAN has consistently maintained an approach which is both balanced and harmonious, as well as in its centrality.

The PM went on to laude the statement issued by ASEAN Foreign Ministers as part of the occasion to mark the 53rd anniversary of the association, with the bloc resolving to maintain a Southeast Asian region of peace, security, stability, and neutrality.

Simultaneously the bloc has demonstrated its consistent stance, principles, and strong commitments to turn the East Sea, a major regional and global maritime route, into an area of peace, stability, security, and safety for the free circulation of goods.|

Moreover, the East Sea is an area where differences and disputes should be addressed through peaceful ways, with the local law being respected and observed, along with common values, the PM stressed.

“We are looking forward to soon completing an effective and efficient Code of Conduct in the East Sea, in line with international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.”

The Vietnamese leader also talked about the first-ever ASEAN Women Leaders’ Summit, a platform that will allow female leaders to have a voice on a women’s role in promoting sustainable development in the post-pandemic world.

The PM therefore suggested that ASEAN focus resources and efforts at the highest level to drive back the ongoing pandemic, rapidly produce COVID-19 vaccines, and having effective treatment methods. This should be done by improving medical preventive capacity in order to respond to public health emergencies whilst protecting the lives of citizens

Moving forward, it can be considered vital to intensify measures to help enterprises restore production and business, therefore creating jobs and livelihoods for people, he noted.
ASEAN councils must promptly implement the ASEAN Comprehensive Recovery Framework, with the implementation plan to be held right after the summit.

ASEAN should also establish its position given the shift of economic and political strength between various countries, as well as adjustments for global production and supply chains, he proposed.

The Government chief added that equal and sustainable development is of special significance to the ASEAN Community, especially at present when diseases and natural disasters are threatening regional growth.
Indeed, both peace and stability are the prerequisite conditions for recovery and development. As a result it can be viewed as vital that ASEAN solidarity, and unity need to be carried forward during this tough time, he stressed.

Concluding his speech, PM Phuc noted that he believes through solidarity and self-resilience, ASEAN will firmly overcome challenges to build a more wealthy and prosperous life for its citizens, who number over 600 million people. The bloc will also make effective contributions to peace, stability, and development, both  regionally and globally.

In line with the scheduled programme, a total of 20 high-level activities will take place. This will also be the only occasion of the year that ASEAN leaders meet with important ASEAN partners, such as the ASEAN + 1 Summit with China, Japan, the Republic of Korea, India, the United States, the UN, and Australia. In addition to the 45th anniversary of the ASEAN-New Zealand partnership, the 23rd ASEAN + 3 Summit, the Mekong-Japan Summit, and the Mekong-Korea Summit.

The plenary session of the 37th ASEAN Summit was followed by a ceremony to announce the results of a mid-term review of master plans for the implementation of the ASEAN Vision 2025 and the ASEAN Comprehensive Recovery Framework. This was along with the establishment of the ASEAN Regional Reserve of Medical Supplies as a means of responding to medical emergencies.

For the first time, a summit for ASEAN’s female leaders will take place under the chair of PM Phuc, with the event seeing the participation of female representatives from ASEAN members. Indeed, National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan will address the event.

The ASEAN Women Leadership Summit is scheduled to open at 7:00 p.m. on November 12 and will see the participation of ASEAN female leaders. They will discuss objectives in an effort to promote gender equality, empowerment, and protection of disadvantaged women throughout the region.

This 37th ASEAN Summit will also outline new orientations for ASEAN with the regional bloc continuing to carry out the dual task of combating COVID-19 whilst meeting goals to build a common community. The occasion will also serve as an activity of special significance, thereby putting an end to the nation’s impressive term as ASEAN Chair 2020.

The event is also an activity of special significance as it marks the conclusion of the nation’s impressive term as ASEAN Chair 2020.