Ambassador Nguyen Hai Bang: Vietnam promotes solidarity and consensus in ASEAN at AMM-56

In the context of the world and the region facing many difficulties and challenges that greatly affect economic and social life, the 56th ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting (AMM) and related meetings will be an opportunity for countries to focus on exchanging and discussing current prominent issues such as economic recovery, trade, investment, stabilizing supply chains, responding to challenges such as climate change, development gap, environment, epidemics, energy security and food security.

Ambassador Nguyen Hai Bang. Photo: Van Phong/VNA reporter in Jakarta

Speaking to VNA reporters in Jakarta, Vietnamese Ambassador to ASEAN Nguyen Hai Bang said the event was also an opportunity for countries to review the entire cooperation process of ASEAN and between ASEAN and its partners over the past year, in order to jointly set out future directions. According to Ambassador Nguyen Hai Bang, taking place from July 10-14 in Jakarta, this conference was attended by 10 ASEAN countries as well as partners. In addition to meetings between the 10 ASEAN countries, there were also conferences between ASEAN and each partner, the East Asia Forum (EAS) Foreign Ministers' Meeting and the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF). Like every year, the conference was also an opportunity for ASEAN and its partners to discuss the regional and world situation, especially in the context of many hotspots continuing to have complicated developments. This will also be an opportunity to affirm the role and strategic value of ASEAN-led mechanisms in promoting dialogue and cooperation, creating a forum for countries to exchange views, contributing to enhancing understanding, narrowing differences and promoting trust. Ambassador Nguyen Hai Bang said that ASEAN and its partners will continue to discuss and implement key priorities in the second half of 2023, as well as the results achieved at the 42nd ASEAN Summit, including promoting growth and recovery; responding to non-traditional security challenges, especially food security, energy security, cyber security, transnational crime, health self-reliance and financial-economic stability. The content of enhancing ASEAN's institutional capacity and effectiveness, reviewing the implementation of the ASEAN Charter will also be important contents to continue to be discussed at the Conference in order to adjust and supplement them in accordance with new realities and situations. The goal is to ensure that efforts to build the ASEAN Community are implemented smoothly and effectively across all three pillars of Politics - Security, Economy, and Culture - Society. The conferences between ASEAN and its partners will also discuss important issues, assess the implementation of existing commitments, as well as orient cooperation in the coming time. The conference is expected to adopt a number of joint statements between ASEAN and its partners. Ambassador Nguyen Hai Bang affirmed that the participation of the Vietnamese delegation led by Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son in this AMM-56 demonstrates the continuation of Vietnam's commitments and responsibilities to the region and to the common work of ASEAN. From the beginning of 2023, when Indonesia assumes the role of ASEAN Chair, Vietnam has made early preparations to be able to participate and contribute effectively to all ASEAN activities. At this conference, the Vietnamese delegation will attend over 20 meetings, contributing to strengthening solidarity and consensus within ASEAN, enhancing cooperation between ASEAN and its partners, thereby enhancing Vietnam's position and role in ASEAN and in international forums.

In its role as the focal agency assigned to negotiate a number of documents during this Conference, the Vietnamese Delegation to ASEAN has actively and proactively contributed to initiatives proposed by Vietnam. Many major documents such as the joint statements expected to be adopted at this Conference have the participation and contribution of the Vietnamese Delegation together with the ASEAN Delegations in Jakarta and the Delegations of partner countries. These contributions of Vietnam have been highly appreciated and recognized by the countries, thereby helping to further strengthen the image, role and position of Vietnam in ASEAN.

Ambassador Nguyen Hai Bang added that with the theme “One ASEAN of stature: The epicenter of growth”, the Indonesian Chair is determined to enhance ASEAN’s capacity to respond to regional and global challenges, as well as consolidate the association’s position as a growth epicenter. Indonesia has prepared the ASEAN Vision 2045 as well as promoted discussions on the draft ASEAN Leaders’ Declaration to enhance the Association’s institutional capacity and effectiveness.

In the context of the world economy not yet fully recovered, the strategic competition of major powers is increasing, along with many complex and unpredictable fluctuations, Indonesia emphasizes that solidarity and joint efforts of all members of the ASEAN family are prerequisites for ASEAN to strongly promote its role in leading regional peace and growth. For ASEAN to truly be the focal point and driving force for regional and global growth, Indonesia directs ASEAN to prioritize economic integration, inclusive cooperation, effective implementation of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), ensuring food security, energy self-reliance and financial stability.

Faced with the impact of geopolitical fluctuations, along with many challenges and potential risks, ASEAN has shifted its strategy, taking advantage of new driving forces, through many initiatives such as the Circular Economy Framework, Carbon Neutrality Strategy, ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement, ASEAN One Health Initiative... At the same time, ASEAN has also promoted economic integration, increased intra-bloc trade and investment, strengthened supply chain connectivity, and enhanced capacity to ensure financial stability, food security, energy security...

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