General Secretary To Lam and his wife, ASEAN Secretary General Kao Kim Hourn and his wife, and delegates perform the ASEAN flag salute ceremony. Photo: Thong Nhat/VNA
In his policy speech, General Secretary To Lam highlighted ASEAN’s achievements over the past 60 years, as well as the Association’s important contributions and central role in maintaining peace, stability and promoting regional cooperation. At the same time, the General Secretary also pointed out new challenges and opportunities for ASEAN in the context of the world reshaping towards multipolarity and multi-center; the explosion of science and technology leading to fundamental changes in socio-economic life; and the rise of non-traditional security issues such as climate change and cyber security.
Looking to the future, the General Secretary outlined a number of major orientations to help ASEAN develop more and more strongly, consolidating its central role in the regional structure. On the basis of inheriting and continuing the achievements of the past 60 years, ASEAN needs to have breakthrough thinking and sharp strategies to create breakthroughs for regional connectivity and cooperation. The General Secretary emphasized the importance of continuing to strengthen intra-bloc solidarity and strategic autonomy, enhancing economic self-reliance through innovative development solutions, promoting ASEAN identity, enhancing the effectiveness of building standards of conduct, and improving the operational efficiency of the ASEAN Secretariat and specialized agencies.
General Secretary To Lam speaks. Photo: Thong Nhat/VNA
The General Secretary also affirmed that ASEAN is an important pillar in Vietnam's foreign policy and an inseparable part of Vietnam's development and integration strategy. With ASEAN as the starting point, Vietnam has increasingly integrated into the international community and has established diplomatic relations with 194 countries, including comprehensive/strategic/comprehensive strategic partnerships with 35 countries, including all ASEAN members and important ASEAN partners. Vietnam is also a member of more than 70 regional/international forums/organizations and has a network of FTAs with more than 60 countries and economies, thereby becoming one of the 40 largest economies in the world and the top 20 economies in the world in terms of attracting foreign investment and trade scale.
General Secretary To Lam speaks. Photo: Thong Nhat/VNA
Sharing about Vietnam's foreign policy and guidelines in the new era, the General Secretary affirmed that Vietnam is ready to make more active and proactive contributions to world politics, the global economy and human civilization. In particular, identifying ASEAN as a multilateral cooperation mechanism with direct and top importance, Vietnam will promote its sense of responsibility and actively contribute to the common work of the Association with the motto of creativity in thinking, innovation in approach, flexibility in implementation, efficiency in approach and determination in action.
ASEAN Secretary General Kao Kim Hourn speaks. Photo: Thong Nhat/VNA
Speaking at the ceremony, ASEAN Secretary General Kao Kim Hourn, Ambassadors, Heads of Delegations of several member countries and partners in ASEAN and Executive Director of ERIA School of Public Policy highly appreciated Vietnam's proactive and active role in ASEAN over the past 30 years. The Ambassadors highly appreciated the policy speech of General Secretary To Lam with his profound assessments, comments and Vietnam's vision on ASEAN.
General Secretary To Lam and his wife, along with ASEAN Secretary General Kao Kim Hourn and his wife, cut the cake to celebrate 30 years of Vietnam joining ASEAN. Photo: Thong Nhat/VNA
The Secretary-General and Ambassadors shared positive assessments of Vietnam’s important contributions to the process of building the ASEAN Community, especially through its three times as ASEAN Chair. The Secretary-General and Ambassadors also acknowledged Vietnam’s efforts in promoting economic and trade cooperation within the bloc and with countries outside the region, developing innovative initiatives, responding to global challenges and actively contributing to maintaining peace and stability in the region. The countries expressed their belief that with the strong commitment and wise leadership of General Secretary To Lam, Vietnam will continue to develop prosperously and be one of the important driving forces to firmly take ASEAN into the new stage of development.
Immediately after the 30th anniversary of Vietnam joining ASEAN, a special art program was held, performed by Vietnamese artists.
The wife of General Secretary To Lam and the wife of ASEAN Secretary General Kao Kim Hourn congratulated the performing arts troupe at the ceremony. Photo: Thong Nhat/VNA
General Secretary To Lam and ASEAN Secretary General Kao Kim Hourn pose for a photo with the performing arts troupe at the ceremony. Photo: Thong Nhat/VNA
Art program to celebrate the anniversary. Photo: Thong Nhat/VNA
Hong Diep (Vietnam News Agency)
Source: https://baotintuc.vn/thoi-su/tong-bi-thu-to-lam-du-le-ky-niem-30-nam-viet-nam-gia-nhap-asean-20250310131935290.htm
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