On May 8, 2023, in Labuan Bajo, Indonesia, Ambassador Vu Ho, Acting Head of ASEAN SOM Vietnam attended the ASEAN SOM Meeting to discuss preparations for the 42nd ASEAN Summit.

The countries reviewed the agenda, program of activities and list of documents to be submitted to ASEAN Leaders for consideration on this occasion. Taking place over two days, May 10-11, 2023, the 42nd ASEAN Summit will discuss many contents on the process of building the ASEAN Community, including the orientation of the ASEAN Community Vision after 2025, enhancing ASEAN's ability to respond and adapt flexibly, discussing ASEAN's foreign relations, as well as international and regional issues of common concern.

Also at the meeting, ASEAN SOM Heads discussed the implementation of ASEAN priorities in 2023 as well as updated the cooperation situation between ASEAN and its partners. Ambassador Vu Ho shared Vietnam's views on many cooperation contents within ASEAN and between ASEAN and its partners as well as other issues of mutual concern; at the same time, together with other countries, actively promoted ASEAN consensus in many contents.

Ambassador Vu Ho announced plans to hold a number of meetings in Ha Long, Vietnam from May 15 to 20, 2023, including the 27th ASEAN-ROK Dialogue, the 20th ASEAN-China Senior Officials' Meeting on the DOC, and the 39th ASEAN-China Joint Working Group Meeting on the DOC.

* On the same day, the 16th meeting of the ASEAN Coordinating Council Working Group on Timor Leste's application for ASEAN membership took place. The meeting discussed and finalized the draft Roadmap for Timor Leste to become a member of ASEAN, which sets out specific criteria that Timor Leste needs to achieve to become a full member of ASEAN and identifies activities to support Timor Leste in improving its capacity, gradually ensuring its ability to fulfill its membership obligations. According to the plan, the Roadmap will be submitted to the 42nd ASEAN Summit for consideration and approval.

* On May 9, 2023, the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting, the ASEAN Political -Security Community Council Meeting and the ASEAN Coordinating Council will take place to complete preparations for the 42nd ASEAN Summit./.

Minh Anh