Speed ​​up the year-end "crop" in the land of a million elephants

Deputy Foreign Minister Do Hung Viet, Head of Vietnam's ASEAN SOM, led the Vietnamese delegation to attend ASEAN Senior Officials (SOM) meetings in Vientiane, Laos. (Photo: BC)

Ambassador, please tell us the meaning and key contents of the AMM 57 Conference and related conferences in implementing Laos' 2024 ASEAN Chairmanship agenda?

Laos' ASEAN Chairmanship Year 2024, with the theme "ASEAN: Promoting connectivity and self-reliance" has reached the halfway mark. The focuses and priorities identified at the beginning of the year are gradually being realized in all cooperation channels. AMM 57 Conference and related conferences, taking place from July 24-27 in the Lao capital Vientiane, are expected to "accelerate" the implementation of specific initiatives and cooperation programs, soon collecting Harvest "sweet fruit" for the end of the year. With that meaning, this Conference will have three important highlights.

One is High effort and determination for a connected and resilient ASEAN in the spirit of this year's theme. In the first decades of its existence, previous generations soon shaped the strategic vision of a cohesive, dynamically developing ASEAN, the nucleus of peace, stability and cooperation in the region.

Director of the ASEAN Department, Ambassador Tran Duc Binh served as Deputy Secretary General of ASEAN in charge of Community and Internal Affairs for the 2021-2024 term. (Photo: BC)

This vision exudes the common spirit of connectivity and resilience of ASEAN that we still talk about today. However, at each stage, the content will have adjustments and additions appropriate to the trends and movements of that stage.

In the role of ASEAN Chairman in 2024, from the beginning of its term, Laos and member countries have identified different aspects of connectivity, including closer connection between economies, connection in the XNUMXth century. numerology and connection through arts and culture.

The meaning of self-reliance also takes on new nuances. It is self-reliant in health, environment and climate to meet current concerns. It is about self-reliance for vulnerable groups such as women and children towards inclusive development. And that is to be resilient in the face of current and future opportunities and challenges.

Highlight Monday is a continuation of the process of building the ASEAN Community. ASEAN is about to complete the ASEAN Community Vision 2025, and is looking towards a longer-term vision to 2045.

The process of ASEAN building new development strategies is a continuation along the axis of time, continuing the achievements of many years of effort and cooperation, reflecting the present and future expectations; the connection between traditional growth drivers and new growth drivers; and the harmonious connection between national interests and common regional interests.

Likewise, accents Tuesday of this Conference is to take a broader approach to the concept of "self-reliance".

In a volatile world, how to help ASEAN improve its self-reliance and strategic autonomy is the top priority today. Issues such as the East Sea, Myanmar, or the Korean Peninsula, the Middle East, the Russia-Ukraine conflict, non-traditional challenges such as climate change, cyber security, energy security, food security, will continue to be placed on the Ministers' agenda.

Concerns, differences, exchanges, and debates are all possible, but the important thing is that ASEAN continues to assert its bravery and strengthen its principled stance of balance and objectivity as well as its central role. , respected and supported by partners, working together and cooperating for peace, security, stability and sustainable development.

With that spirit, what initiatives and messages will the Vietnamese delegation want to emphasize within the framework of the Conferences, Ambassador?

Nearly three decades of participating in ASEAN, we always wish and strive at the highest level for the complete success of the Association.

This comes not only from the sense of our membership obligations, but also from the responsibility to contribute to the common development of ASEAN and the responsibility for peace, cooperation and development in the region.

With that mindset, we have proactively participated in preparing for the AMM 57 Conference from the first days and in the near future, the Vietnamese delegation attending the Conferences with many responsibilities will continue to contribute actively. commitment and responsibility for overall success.

First, Reconciling differences and harmonizing interests continues to be the guiding principle for our participation. ASEAN's solidarity and unity are more important than ever in the current context. The ASEAN House can only be strong when members are willing to listen, share, harmonize their concerns with the common concerns of the region, and work together to find solutions to differences in the spirit of trust and understanding. understand.

Monday, contributing to the successful implementation of the connectivity agenda. The importance of connectivity was recognized by ASEAN very early, contributing to improving the region's competitiveness, promoting inclusive development and strengthening Community consciousness.

Accordingly, we will work with other countries to determine a comprehensive and comprehensive approach to strengthen regional connectivity and connection with partner countries, not only concretizing connections in infrastructure, institutions and people. but expanding new fields and trends related to supply chains, innovation, digital connectivity, cross-border payments, power networks...

Tuesday, continue to work with other countries to shape a resilient, dynamic, creative and people-centered ASEAN future as set out in the ASEAN Community Vision 2045.

Recently, implementing the initiative of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, we successfully organized the ASEAN Future Forum 2024, attracting the participation of more than 500 delegates with practical sharing and suggestions on Essential issues are facing the future of ASEAN. The Forum not only complements ASEAN's ongoing discussion on strategies to implement Vision 2045, but is also a timely contribution, connecting the region's concerns with the UN Future Summit. The United Nations will be held next September.

Trong chuyến thăm cấp Nhà nước tới Lào vừa diễn ra, Chủ tịch nước To Lam nhấn mạnh, Việt Nam sẽ nỗ lực hết sức giúp Lào đảm nhiệm thành công vai trò Chủ tịch ASEAN 2024 và Chủ tịch Hội đồng liên Nghị viện ASEAN (AIPA) 45, Đại sứ có thể chia sẻ thêm về thông điệp này của Chủ tịch nước?

Vietnam's support and support for Laos to successfully undertake the responsibilities of ASEAN Chairmanship 2024 and AIPA-45 Chairmanship was strongly affirmed during President To Lam's recent visit to Laos.

This is the right support at the right time because the second half of 2024 will be the peak period of ASEAN's high-level events, such as the 44th-45th ASEAN Summit and related conferences, AIPA 45. This support and assistance also deeply demonstrates the tradition of close and regular coordination between the two countries in ASEAN and other regional and global cooperation frameworks, contributing to strengthening the friendly relationship. greatness, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos.

Our support and assistance to Laos in successfully undertaking the above responsibilities is also a contribution to the overall success of ASEAN, consistently demonstrating our motto of participating in ASEAN as being proactive, positive and responsible.

As our senior leaders have repeatedly affirmed, ASEAN is Vietnam's top priority and strategic choice. The message given during President To Lam's first foreign visit in his new position once again clearly affirmed that ASEAN has strategic significance and is an inseparable part of foreign policy. of Vietnam.

In that spirit, Vietnam will continue to coordinate closely with the President of Laos and other countries and partners, working together to create new achievements for ASEAN cooperation in 2024.

Thank you Ambassador!