According to the special correspondent of the Vietnam News Agency, on the morning of May 10, in Labuan Bajo, Indonesia, the 42nd Summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) with the theme “One ASEAN of Stature: The Heart of Growth” officially opened. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh led the high-ranking Vietnamese delegation to attend and delivered a speech raising three core issues that determine the identity, value, vitality and prestige of ASEAN.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh speaks at the plenary session of the 42nd ASEAN Summit. Photo: DUONG GIANG-VNA
Opening the conference, Indonesian President Joko Widodo assessed that this ASEAN Summit took place in the context of the world economy not yet fully recovering, increasing strategic competition between major powers, and many complex and unpredictable fluctuations.
President Joko Widodo said that ASEAN needs to have sufficient capacity to respond and adapt to these challenges. He believes that solidarity and joint efforts of all members of the ASEAN family are prerequisites for ASEAN to strongly promote its leading role in regional peace and growth.
To make ASEAN truly the focal point and driving force for regional and global growth, President Joko Widodo suggested that ASEAN prioritize economic integration, inclusive cooperation, effectively implement the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), ensure food security, energy self-reliance and financial stability.
The leaders expressed their support and emphasized the strategic significance of the theme “One ASEAN of stature: The heart of growth”, demonstrating the vitality and position of ASEAN, the driving force for regional and global economic growth. The leaders pledged to promote ASEAN economic integration, increase intra-bloc trade and investment, strengthen supply chain connectivity, and enhance the capacity to ensure financial stability, food security, energy security, etc.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh congratulated President Joko Widodo and Indonesia on assuming the responsibility of ASEAN Chair 2023; expressed his joy that ASEAN remains an economic bright spot; but also acknowledged that challenges facing ASEAN are increasingly complex, both internally and externally.
Accordingly, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh raised three core issues that determine ASEAN's identity, value, vitality and prestige, namely maintaining independence, strategic autonomy, striving to become the center of growth, and adapting better and better to external fluctuations.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh stressed that unity is an invincible strength, and must be demonstrated through will and concrete actions. Strengthening unity and solidarity is a fundamental task for an independent and self-reliant ASEAN.
In the context of the global economy facing many risks and uncertainties, to promote recovery and sustainable development, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh emphasized that expanding the intra-bloc market is an urgent requirement. On that basis, the Prime Minister proposed efforts to negotiate an upgrade of the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement, synchronously and resolutely implementing regional connectivity projects in terms of institutions, infrastructure and human resources, creating a qualitative change in the investment, business and tourism environment.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh suggested that cooperation in digital economy, digital government, and circular economy should be given attention and promoted together with connecting the power grid, developing renewable energy, and soon building long-term strategies on training high-quality human resources, through implementing the Mutual Recognition Agreement on Labor in a number of occupations and considering expanding the application of the Agreement in new occupations.
Affirming the core spirit of ASEAN is to put people at the center, the goal and driving force of building the Community, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh emphasized narrowing the development gap, especially in remote areas and sub-regions. Sub-regional cooperation needs to be linked with ASEAN cooperation programs in all fields, opening up a wider space and ensuring a better life for the people.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh shared that difficulties and challenges always exist, but difficulties do not discourage ASEAN, ASEAN must be stronger. To realize the goal and aspiration of peace, security, stability and prosperity, the Prime Minister suggested that ASEAN members join hands to arouse the will to be self-reliant and united, to unleash development resources and initiate breakthrough ideas for Community building, helping ASEAN to break through and become the growth center of the region and the world.
PHAM TIEP
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