Affirming ASEAN's image and reputation

On July 10, 2023, in Jakarta, Indonesia, Ambassador Vu Ho, Head of ASEAN SOM, led the Vietnamese delegation to attend the ASEAN SOM meeting and the Executive Board of the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone Treaty (SEANWFZ).

Taking place right before the 56th AMM, the ASEAN SOM reviewed more than 20 activities of the Foreign Ministers within the framework of ASEAN, ASEAN+1, ASEAN+3, East Asia Summit and ASEAN Regional Forum. The countries pledged to support and actively contribute to the overall success of the conferences, thereby affirming the image and prestige of ASEAN.

On this occasion, the Ministers are expected to approve and acknowledge about 40 cooperation documents. Currently, the countries are actively discussing to complete the documents, including the Joint Communiqué of the 56th AMM, a report on the progress of cooperation between ASEAN and its partners, and many other important joint statements.

The SOM leaders discussed many important issues, revolving around ASEAN's strategic priorities such as the orientation for building the Community by 2045, strengthening relations with partners, ASEAN's economic and financial self-reliance in the context of current risks and uncertainties, promoting new growth drivers, and summarizing experiences in responding to and recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic.

The countries reviewed the progress of the implementation of the SEANWFZ Treaty Action Plan for the period 2023-2027, highly appreciated the establishment of working groups to support the enhancement of ASEAN's response capacity to nuclear and radiological incidents as well as efforts to enhance nuclear safety and security capacity. The meeting agreed to promote ASEAN cooperation with partners, continue to discuss and seek solutions for nuclear-weapon states to sign the SEANWFZ Protocol.

Participating in discussions at the meetings, Ambassador Vu Ho proactively shared Vietnam's views and stance on many issues of common interest and priority in the region, flexibly proposing proposals and solutions to both promote cooperation and ensure the consensus principle of ASEAN. As the coordinator of ASEAN-Korea relations, Ambassador Vu Ho announced that Vietnam will organize ASEAN-Korea Day at the end of 2023 to strengthen the strategic partnership and comprehensive cooperation between the two sides.

* On the morning of July 11, 2023, ASEAN Foreign Ministers will attend the first activities within the framework of the 56th AMM and related conferences, including the SEANWFZ Treaty Commission Meeting and the Dialogue with Representatives of the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR).

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