ASEAN Chairman issues statement on responding to COVID-19
Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, as Chairman of ASEAN in 2020, issued a statement on ASEAN’s joint response to the outbreak of the acute respiratory disease caused by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), in the face of complicated development of the epidemic.
Hanoi, (VNA) – Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, as Chairman of ASEAN in 2020, issued astatement on ASEAN’s joint response to the outbreak of the acute respiratorydisease caused by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), in the face of complicateddevelopment of the epidemic.
The statementexpressed the concern of ASEAN leaders about the complicated development of theepidemic, which seriously impacts people’s life and the development of ASEANcountries as well as the region and the world as a whole.
Stressing the ASEAN’s solidarityand spirit of a “cohesive and responsive” community, ASEAN leaders affirmedtheir strong commitment to joining hands to control and curb the spread of the epidemic,ensuring a safe life for their people.
The statement welcomedthe efforts in the framework of ASEAN medical cooperation and cooperation withpartners (China, Japan and the Republic of Korea), and underlined that ASEANwill enhance coordination at both national and regional levels, coordinatejoint work among relevant sectors for a synchronized and effective approach ofthe ASEAN Community as well as for stronger cooperation with the World HealthOrganisation, partners and international organisations in preventing andcontrolling the epidemic.
The statement alsoaffirmed solidarity and strong support of ASEAN for the tremendous efforts ofthe Government and people of China as well as the international community inresponding to the epidemic.
ASEAN countries will maintainthe open-door policy and agree to coordinate in quarantine work at border gatesof member countries, the statement said, requiring diplomatic representativeagencies of ASEAN countries in a third country to provide consular support forASEAN citizens when necessary, and cooperate to fight fake information on theCOVID-19 epidemic.
ASEAN leaders pledged to give a high priority to fighting the epidemic andcalled for joint efforts of the international community.
As part of the ASEAN’sjoint response to the COVID-19, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister PhamBinh Minh, as Chairman of the ASEAN Coordinating Council (ACC), has proposed organizingan extraordinary meeting of the ACC and coordinating with China to hold aspecial ASEAN-China Foreign Ministers’ Meeting on the occasion of the upcoming5th Mekong-Lancang Cooperation Foreign Ministers’ Meeting inVientiane to discuss cooperation in fighting COVID-19./.
The High-Level Task Force on ASEAN Economic Integration convened the 37th meeting in Hanoi on February 12-13, proposing some important recommendations and cooperation activities for the bloc’s economic integration.
Singapore and Malaysia are looking into establishing protocols for the transfer of COVID-19 patients between the two countries as part of efforts to work more closely in tackling the spread of the novel coronavirus.
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The Vietnamese Embassy advises the Vietnamese community living, studying, and working in Israel to strictly comply with directions from the Home Front Command and local authorities.
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The State Committee for Overseas Vietnamese Affairs (SCOVA) has served as a bridge connecting and uniting the community with the homeland, becoming a trusted source of support for Vietnamese expats in times of hardship.
The programme to eliminate temporary and dilapidated houses has achieved notable results, with nearly 263,000 housing units addressed to date, including 225,000 houses inaugurated and 38,000 under construction. Thirty-eight provinces and cities across the nation have already fulfilled their targets.
Stronger efforts and determination are required to achieve and surpass the set targets, especially in the eradication of makeshift and dilapidated houses nationwide, the acceleration of public investment disbursement, and the implementation of nationally important transport projects, PM Pham Minh Chinh noted.
The trip will be made at the invitations of Chinese Premier Li Qiang and WEF President and CEO Børge Brende, according to an announcement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Long spoke highly of the dynamic, positive, and comprehensive development of Vietnam – Russia relations in recent years. He affirmed that the Vietnamese Party and State place great importance on further strengthening the comprehensive strategic partnership with Russia in a substantive and effective manner, in line with the development needs of both nations.
At the conference, participants reported that the Government has so far issued 28 decrees on the delegation of responsibilities and powers between the central Government and two-tier local administrations. Several localities have already piloted the new governance model.
Reality is the ultimate benchmark for success, he said, urging drafting agencies to work out policies that foster development, reduce bureaucratic hurdles, and respect practical conditions.
Under the official dispatch signed on June 20, ministers, heads of ministerial-level agencies, and chairpersons of provincial and municipal People’s Committees are requested to concentrate efforts on implementing core measures to ensure the smooth operations of the new administrative framework.
The Party chief underscored the need for the press to innovate relentlessly, evolve to keep pace with the country's development, transform into a truly professional, humanistic, and modern sector that serves the cause of the Party, the State, and the people on the path to national construction and development.
The UN Secretary-General praised Vietnam’s remarkable achievements in socio-economic development and international integration in recent years, noting that the country has emerged as a model in implementing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), promoting international peace and security, and engaging in key UN processes.
Nghia affirmed that this is a milestone of special significance, affirming and honouring the the Vietnamese revolutionary press’s glorious tradition of 100 years of serving the revolutionary cause of the Party, serving the Fatherland, and serving the people.
The Party and State of Vietnam always attach great importance to and give top priority to the development of Vietnam–China relations. Vietnam is ready to work with the Chinese Party and State to further deepen the Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership and promote the building of the Vietnam-China community with a shared future that carries strategic significance.
Under the leadership of President Ho Chi Minh and the CPV, President Cuong said, the press has been a steadfast force on the ideological and cultural front, rallying the masses to pursue national aspirations.
NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man stressed the need to accelerate the application of artificial intelligence and smart teaching equipment, innovate teaching and assessment methods, and further improve the quality of formal education.
He also pledged that the NA will promote its ongoing supervision, making sure that every promise must lead to results, and every commitment must bring about real changes.
Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien welcomed the proposals put forward by the US side and reiterated Vietnam’s request for consideration of key areas of interest, including reciprocal tariff policies and access for Vietnamese key export products to the US market.
Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc (Photo: VNA) 
