Secretary General and President: Positioning ASEAN in the Post-Covid-19 Era

On the morning of November 12, 2020, speaking at the opening ceremony of the 37th ASEAN Summit, Vietnam’s Secretary-General and President Nguyen Phu Trong shared his joy at participating in the most important conference series of 2020 ASEAN.

“Every time I attend ASEAN activities, I have a warm feeling of solidarity and attachment as brothers in a big family. Over the past year, that sentiment multiplies more and more when ASEAN member countries join hands and actively adapt to the challenges and difficulties facing Southeast Asia and the world ”- General Secretary, President expressed.

The top leader of the Party and State of Vietnam mentioned that last year the Covid-19 epidemic broke out, which claimed the lives of millions of people around the world, altering and impacting global life. important socio-economic achievements accumulated over decades. The year 2020 is gradually closing with extensive and complex changes in the world situation.

The President emphasized that, more than ever, all the nations and peoples of the world need peace, stable cooperation and development, the peoples need to be cared for, protected and shared to overcome the period. this difficulty. This is only possible if conflicts of interest, differences of thought and approach are resolved through mutual trust, constructive spirit and good will.

Vietnamese general leaders, against the background of the world’s multi-colored image, bright spots of cooperation to meet emerging challenges in Asia-Pacific, as pioneers, ASEAN core.

In 2020, all ASEAN countries have shown their courage and determination, making efforts to overcome many difficulties and challenges. From political engagement at the highest level to seamless and synchronous implementation measures across the apparatus as well as across member states, every citizen has witnessed ASEAN’s cohesion and proactive adaptive spirit has proven itself in the prevention and control of Covid-19, as well as in overcoming the consequences of epidemics, supporting people and companies and promoting economic recovery. Citizen confidence in the ability of regional governments to respond to the epidemic is high.

Secretary-General and President of State Nguyen Phu Trong said that while various multilateral institutions face many difficulties and challenges, ASEAN has managed to maintain stable operations, maintaining its role and position. year. Partners continue to value and support the centrality of ASEAN. The trend of dialogue, cooperation and partnership has an increasingly solid foundation in the current regional and international context.

However, according to him, the road ahead has many obstacles. The loss of life and property suffered by tens of millions of people in the region due to natural disasters and epidemics in the last year has been very serious. ASEAN people hope that country leaders will propose more effective and drastic cooperative measures to better control the new wave of infections, while maintaining operations and business in the field. teach economics, support life stability, ensure social security for all regions, regions and people of all countries.

Consequently, ASEAN’s positioning in the post-Covid-19 era is a major issue. The strong desire and will to maintain a region of peace, stability, solidarity and unity on the basis of international law have been and must continue to be the core values ​​of Southeast Asia and the ASEAN community. .

In the new context, ASEAN countries must show their courage and actively coordinate to carry out recovery initiatives and plans, with new, substantial and effective modes of operation and cooperation. The frameworks for dialogue and cooperation in the region with ASEAN as a central role need to be fully appreciated. ASEAN can contribute positively and effectively to efforts to promote multilateral cooperation, uphold international law and strengthen the international multilateral system with the United Nations at its core.

The state president affirmed that Vietnam always advocates maintaining independence, autonomy, multilateralization and diversification of foreign relations; you are a friend, a trusted partner and an active and responsible member of the international community fighting for peace, cooperation and development. That spirit has led Vietnam to maturity and growth for the past 75 years and will continue to be a guide for Vietnam’s foreign policy, especially in the context of a complicated and unpredictable world. from now on.

The process of joining and accompanying ASEAN for the past 25 years is the premise for Vietnam to effectively implement its foreign policy and international integration. ASEAN has become a common home; The ASEAN community is an important base for maintaining the identity of Southeast Asia.

As the president of ASEAN in 2020, in the spirit of “cohesion and proactive adaptation”, Vietnam respects the solidarity, valuable support and support of member countries, partners and friends. ASEAN friends for the ASEAN community to constantly overcome challenges, maintain ties, build communities and strengthen the core role of ASEAN, and build a peaceful, friendly and cooperative region of Southeast Asia. , neutral and stable.

“Our President Ho Chi Minh once stated that” solidarity is strength. “Only through cooperation, trust and joint efforts, consensus, can ASEAN and the world together overcome all difficulties and challenges, restore economic growth , maintain peace, stability and prosperity. sustainable development “- The Secretary General and President concluded his speech with the belief in solidarity and community strength of ASEAN, the 37th Summit will be a success and will continue to contribute to ASEAN Achieve new and important development steps in the next period, meeting people’s expectations and expectations.

Publications: Phuong Thao

Image: Tien Tuan