On February 3, at the headquarters of the Secretariat of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in the capital Jakarta (Indonesia), the Conference took place. ASEAN Coordinating Council 32nd (ACC 32).
Attending the conference were the ASEAN Foreign Ministers and the new ASEAN Secretary General Kao Kim Hourn; Timorese Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation Leste Adaljiza Albertina Xavier Reis Magno was first invited to the meeting as an observer.
On this occasion, Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son and ASEAN Foreign Ministers visited Indonesian President Joko Widodo at the Istana Merd eka palace.
[Indonesia công bố ưu tiên trong nhiệm kỳ Chủ tịch ASEAN 2023]
Sharing about ASEAN’s priorities in 2023, Foreign Minister of Indonesia – the country holding the ASEAN Chair in 2023 – Ms. Retno Matsudi emphasized in the context that ASEAN faces many uncertainties and challenges, both internally and externally, it is important to maintain the unity, centrality and vitality of ASEAN; affirming the role of ASEAN as a factor ensuring peace, stability and prosperity in the region.
In the spirit of the theme “One Great ASEAN: At the Heart of Growth,” Indonesia will promote strong and sustainable economic growth in the region, maintain ASEAN as the engine of global economic growth, enhance ASEAN’s resilience and resilience in the face of fluctuations, focusing on energy security, food security, health resilience and financial-economic stability, and handling cross-border issues, strengthen effective operation of ASEAN mechanisms and between ASEAN and its partners, reinforcing ASEAN’s position, role and responsibilities in regional and global issues.
The ministers expressed their support and commitment to work closely with Indonesia to realize the set priorities.
The ministers emphasized the need to improve the operational efficiency of ASEAN, and agreed to assign relevant agencies to study measures to support this process.
The countries agreed in the immediate future to consider a number of contents such as strengthening the role and functions of the Committee of Permanent Representatives to ASEAN (CPR), the ASEAN Secretariat and the ASEAN Secretary-General; improve the efficiency of inter-sectoral and inter-pillar coordination and propose solutions to mobilize resources for ASEAN activities.
Following the direction of leaders at the recent 40th and 41st ASEAN Summits, the foreign ministers discussed Timor Leste’s mode of participation at ASEAN meetings and the roadmap for admission to the country. This is a member of ASEAN.
Speaking at the conference, Minister Bui Thanh Son affirmed that Vietnam supports and is ready to cooperate with Indonesia to fulfill the duties of the ASEAN Chairmanship in 2023.
The Minister expressed confidence in the Chairman’s proposals, especially on recovery and capacity building of the health system and ASEAN’s readiness to respond to future epidemic risks; commits that Vietnam will participate and contribute actively and responsibly to the discussion of measures to improve ASEAN’s institutional capacity, emphasizing that this is an important factor to enhance the resilience and adaptability of ASEAN. ASEAN faces complicated and unpredictable fluctuations in the region and the world.
Minister Bui Thanh Son also announced a number of initiatives of Vietnam in 2023, including organizing activities to promote inclusive recovery in the region, energy transition and combating climate change.
Minister Bui Thanh Son affirmed that as one of the three host countries of the ASEAN Center on Response to Public Health Emergency Situations and Emerging Diseases, Vietnam will closely coordinate with countries that send the center to China. this center into action.
(VNA/Vietnam+)