ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting 56 (AMM 56): Affirming the role and strategic value of ASEAN

On the occasion of Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son's attendance at the 56th ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting and related meetings in Jakarta, Indonesia from July 11-14, Ambassador Nguyen Hai Bang, Head of the Vietnamese Delegation to ASEAN, shared about the significance and key contents of the meeting.

Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son will attend the 56th ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting from July 11-14 in Indonesia. (Photo: Tuan Anh)

Could you please assess the significance of the 56th ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting and related meetings?

The 56th ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting (AMM) and related meetings will take place from July 10-14 in Jakarta, Indonesia. This is an important Foreign Ministers' Meeting of the year with the participation of 10 ASEAN countries as well as ASEAN's partners. Within the framework of this meeting, in addition to the meetings between the 10 ASEAN countries, there will be additional meetings between ASEAN and each partner, the East Asia Forum (EAS) Foreign Ministers' Meeting, and the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF).

Over the past few years, the world and the region have faced many difficulties and challenges that have greatly affected the economic and social life not only of ASEAN but also of many places in the world. Therefore, this 56th AMM will be an opportunity for countries to focus on exchanging and discussing current pressing issues such as economic recovery, trade, investment, stabilizing supply chains, responding to challenges such as climate change, development gap, environment, epidemics, energy and food security.

Ambassador Nguyen Hai Bang, Head of the Vietnamese Delegation to ASEAN. (Photo: PD)

Along with that, this is also an opportunity for countries to review the entire cooperation process of ASEAN and between ASEAN and its partners over the past year, and from there, together set out future directions.

As usual every year, this conference is also an opportunity for ASEAN countries and partners to discuss the regional and world situation, especially in the context of many hot spots in the region and the world 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.

In such a context, what are the highlights of discussions among ASEAN leaders within the framework of the conference and Vietnam's contributions, Ambassador?

AMM 56 and related conferences are forums for countries to continue to discuss and implement key priorities in the second half of 2023, implementing the results achieved by ASEAN countries at the 42nd ASEAN Summit, including promoting growth and recovery; enhancing ASEAN's institutional capacity and effectiveness; responding to non-traditional security challenges, especially food security, energy security, cyber security, transnational crime, health self-reliance and financial-economic stability.

The content on enhancing ASEAN’s institutional capacity and effectiveness, and reviewing the implementation of the ASEAN Charter will also be an important content to be continued to be discussed at the Conference in order to adjust and supplement it to suit the new reality and situation. The goal is to ensure that ASEAN’s community building efforts are implemented smoothly and effectively on all three pillars of politics-security, economy and culture-society.

The conferences between ASEAN and its partners are also important contents, ASEAN and its partners will discuss and evaluate the implementation of existing commitments, as well as orientations for cooperation in the coming time. In particular, this conference is expected to pass a number of Joint Statements between ASEAN and its partners.

Vietnam's participation in the 56th AMM demonstrates the continuation of Vietnam's commitments and responsibilities to the region and to the common work of ASEAN.

Since the beginning of 2023, when Indonesia assumes the role of ASEAN Chair, we have made early preparations to be able to participate and contribute effectively to all ASEAN activities this year. At this conference, Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son and the Vietnamese delegation will attend more than 20 meetings, contributing to strengthening solidarity and consensus within ASEAN, enhancing cooperation between ASEAN and its partners, thereby enhancing the position and role of Vietnam in ASEAN and in international forums.

In its role as the focal agency assigned with the responsibility of negotiating 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 contributions of the Vietnamese Delegation, along 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.

"ASEAN at the forefront: The focus of growth" is the theme of ASEAN 2023. How does the Ambassador assess the parallel development and recovery of ASEAN in recent times?

With the theme of the ASEAN Chairmanship Year: “ASEAN of Stature: The Hub of Growth”, Indonesia is determined to enhance ASEAN’s ability to respond to regional and global challenges, as well as consolidate ASEAN’s position as the hub of growth.

Indonesia has prepared the ASEAN Vision 2045 as well as promoted discussions on the draft ASEAN Leaders' Declaration to enhance ASEAN's institutional capacity and effectiveness.

In the context of the world economy not yet fully recovered, increasing strategic competition among major powers, and many complex and unpredictable fluctuations, Indonesia emphasized that solidarity and joint efforts of all ASEAN family members are prerequisites for ASEAN to strongly promote its role in leading regional peace and growth.

To make ASEAN truly the focal point and driving force for regional and global growth, Indonesia directs ASEAN to prioritize economic integration, inclusive cooperation, effectively implement the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), ensure 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, etc.

At the same time, ASEAN also promotes ASEAN economic integration, increases intra-bloc trade and investment, strengthens supply chain connectivity, and enhances capacity to ensure financial stability, food security, energy security, etc.

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