Domestic and international experts and scholars gathered at a workshop in Hanoi on May 8 to discuss priorities for Vietnam when the country takes the role of ASEAN Chair in 2020.

Experts and scholars discuss priorities for Vietnam when the country
takes the role of ASEAN Chair in 2020.(Photo: VNA)

The event, held by the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam (DAV) in collaboration with the US-based Asia-Pacific Centre for Security Studies, formed part of activities to study and consult policies in preparation for Vietnam’s ASEAN Chairmanship next year.

DAV President Nguyen Vu Tung affirmed that as the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has played an important role in the development of each member state, Southeast Asia, and Asia-Indo-Pacific, Vietnam, who plays the rotary chair of ASEAN in 2020, should work to remove challenges, and grasp opportunities for the bloc’s further development.

Meanwhile, Head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ ASEAN Department Vu Ho said that ASEAN is always on top priorities of Vietnam’s foreign policies.

The workshop focused on measures to promote ASEAN’s central role in the context of complicated regional and global situation, issues that Vietnam should promote in the role of ASEAN Chairmanship, as well as sectors that partners can support Vietnam in the country’s chairmanship year.

Participants at the event expressed their hope that Vietnam will promote its leading role while chairing the ASEAN in 2020, making practical contributions to the ASEAN community’s development.