Hanoi (VNA) - The 37th ASEAN Summit andrelated meetings, slated for November 12-15, are the most important activity ofASEAN this year, attracting widespread attention both inside and outside of theregion, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and General Secretary of theNational ASEAN 2020 Committee Nguyen Quoc Dung said on November 9.

Dung told a press conference that, as the final summit to be hosted by Vietnam inits capacity as ASEAN Chair 2020, the 37th ASEAN Summit offers an opportunityfor the grouping to review intra-bloc cooperation throughout the year as wellas its cooperation with partners, while charting priorities in the future.

It is also an opportunity for ASEAN leaders to meet with many leaders of majorASEAN partners, he said, noting that the summit takes place amid COVID-19 and thecomplex developments in the global and regional strategic environment and traditionaland non-traditional security issues.

The summit, therefore, is a key chance for ASEAN leaders to affirm theircommitments and strong political resolve to maintain cooperation momentum andregional connectivity to cope with the pandemic and consolidate ASEAN’scentrality and position, along with outlining the bloc’s developmentorientations in a rapidly, complexly, and unforeseeably changing world.

There will be 20 activities at the highest-level, including the 37th ASEANSummit, ASEAN+1 with China, Japan, the Republic of Korea, India, the US, the UNand Australia, the 15th East Asia Summit (EAS), and the 4th RegionalComprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), among others.

During the summits with partners, leaders will focus on building the ASEANCommunity, maintaining intra-bloc cooperation momentum, expanding and deepeningrelations between ASEAN and partners, promoting the grouping’s centrality,raising its international position, ensuring COVID-19 prevention and control,and discussing regional and international issues of shared concern.

The opening ceremony of the 37th ASEAN Summit and related meetings is slated forthe morning of November 12, with Party General Secretary and State PresidentNguyen Phu Trong in attending.

Vietnam is expected to symbolically hand over the ASEAN Chairmanship to Bruneiat the closing ceremony on November 15, the official said.

Outcomes of the mid-term review of the Master Plan on ASEAN Community 2025 andthe ASEAN comprehensive recovery framework will be announced following a plenarysession of the 37th ASEAN Summit. The establishment of a regional medicalsupplies reserve in response to medical emergencies will also be unveiled.

Notably, the ASEAN women leaders’ summit will be held for the first time, underthe chair of Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, with the participation of female leadersfrom ASEAN member countries. The Chairwoman of the National Assembly willdeliver a speech at the summit.

More than 80 documents, including proposals by Vietnam, are set to be approvedon this occasion; the highest number to date.

According to the Deputy FM, all preparations for the 37th ASEAN Summit andrelated meetings have been completed in line with COVID-19 prevention andcontrol measures.

Responding to reporters’ question regarding the RCEP, Dung said negotiations overthe agreement have been completed and participating countries are working on internalprocedures for signing. If these procedures are completed in a timely manner,the deal is expected to be signed on November 15.

The agreement will create momentum for regional trade, particularly betweensignatories, Dung said, stressing that the signing holds great meaning forVietnam, as it has worked hard as ASEAN Chair to accelerate the process.

Asked about ASEAN’s connectivity in economic recovery post-COVID-19, the DeputyFM said ASEAN has been aware of the severe impact of the pandemic and no singlecountry can fight it.

As ASEAN Chair, it has promptly issued statements in response to the pandemic,emphasising the need for ASEAN member countries to closely coordinate with eachother, he said, citing the creation of the ASEAN Coordinating Council. 

An international press conference on the 37th ASEAN Summit and related meetingswill be held on the afternoon of November 15, chaired by the PM./.