Jakarta (VNA) ಞ– The Association of SoutheastAsian Nations (ASEAN)’s Secretariat held a virtual ceremony on August 8 to mark the bloc’s 53rd founding anniversary under the theme “ASEAN 53: A Cohesive Journey toRecovery”.

Opening the event, ASEAN Secretary-General Dato LimJock Hoi said that under Vietnam’sstrong and able Chairmanship, ASEAN stays focused in undertaking importantmilestone exercises, as the region demonstrates commitment in its integrationjourney. Noting that the region is gradually adopting to the''new normal,'' Dato Lim underpinned the significance for ASEAN to develop arobust, holistic and pragmatic post-pandemic recovery framework to mitigatesocio-economic effects, while continuing to advance regional economicintegration. In her remarks, Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudirallied for all ASEAN member states to continue to work together in fightingthe pandemic. "ASEAN must always cooperate to maintain ourregional peace and stability, and not to be dragged into the storm ofgeopolitical tension or being forced to choose sides. Therefore, the regionmust stay ahead of the curve to maintain our centrality, maintain our relevanceand be at the driving seat in turning rivalry into cooperation, distrust intostrategic trust," she said. Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister PhamBinh Minh noted that over the past 53 years, ASEAN has for many timesshown its strength from solidarity and the capacity of recovery. By embracing 10 membernations, ASEAN has turned Southeast Asia from a land of discord to a land ofconcord, from confrontation to cooperation, and from poverty to dynamicdevelopment, he said. Minh noted that the ASEANCommunity today has become a big family of six hundred and fifty millionspeople with a combined GDP of 3 trillion USD and as a peaceful, stable andresilient region with dynamic, vibrant economies.

Turning the vision into actions, ASEAN has promotedthe interest of nations as well as peace and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region.

ꦯ Minh held that the association is entering an importantperiod. The new dynamism amidst the geopolitical situation and emergingregional and global issues require the association to become more united andactive for adaptation. Working together, all nations can overcome allchallenges and move forward, he stated.

The Deputy PM asserted that all countries in the region shouldincrease efforts to reinforce the Community, while staying positive and activein promoting the partnership between ASEAN and dialogue partners, andensuring the regional architecture in which the open, transparent, inclusiveand rule-based ASEAN plays the central role. The year of 2020 marks Vietnam’s 25years of ASEAN membership, he noted, vowing that with the country’s commitmentsand experience in the past 25 years, Vietnam will make more activecontributions to the association. Under the chairmanship of Vietnam thisyear, ASEAN has applied measures for people’s health protection and economicrecovery. The association has taken the pioneer role in regional effortsagainst the COVID-19 pandemic, and reformed its operations, deepening its foreignrelations, thus enhancing its international status, he said. Minh affirmed that Vietnam will continue to work closelywith neighbours and friends to build a strong and united ASEAN, one that isindispensable for peace and prosperity within the region and beyond, in linewith ASEAN's principles and value of 'Think Community, Act Community'. The online celebration was broadcast on ASEAN'swebsite and social media platforms. Along with the official speeches, theonline celebration featured congratulatory wishes from ASEAN citizens, ASEAN'sexternal partners and special musical performances by the region's youth and aThai-based social enterprise, C asean Consonant, respectively./.