Da Nang (VNA) – The ASEAN SeniorOfficials’ Meeting (SOM) took place in the central coastal city of Da Nang onMarch 4 with the participation of hundreds of senior officials from the 10 ASEANmember countries.

Vietnam’s Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen QuocDung, head of SOM Vietnam, chaired the event.

Participants discussed the implementation ofoutcomes gained at the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Retreat in Nha Trang city,Vietnam’s Khanh Hoa province in January, and the initial preparation for the36th ASEAN Summit and relevant events to be held in Da Nang on April 8-9.

They agreed on the working agenda of theASEAN-New Zealand Commemorative Summit slated for April 9 immediately after the36th ASEAN Summit.

Participants also gave opinions about steps toimplement initiatives and priorities proposed by Vietnam during 2020 under thetheme “Cohesive and Responsive”.

Delegates expressed support for the initiativeson holding mid-term review of the implementation of ASEAN Community buildingplans to 2025, and evaluation of the implementation of the ASEAN Charter.

They also advocated efforts to promotesub-regional cooperation, especially in the Greater Mekong Subregion, enhancewomen’s role in building the ASEAN Community, and promote the image of ASEAN.

Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Quoc Dungaffirmed Vietnam’s determination to fulfill tasks of the Chair of ASEAN in2020, including the acceleration of the ASEAN Community building process, theexpansion of ASEAN’s external relations and reform of ASEAN working methods.

Mentioning the complicated developments of theacute respiratory disease caused by SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19), the diplomatdescribed Vietnam as a safe destination for foreign tourists with the epidemicunder good control.

As host of ASEAN events this year, Vietnam hasbeen taking a range of measures to ensure safety and health for all delegates,he said.

Following the SOM, the special ASEAN SOM, theninth meeting of the ASEAN Coordinating Council Working Group (ACCWG), and theJoint Consultative Meeting (JCM) are scheduled to take place on March 5-6.

Founded in 1967, the Association of SoutheastAsian Nations (ASEAN) groups 10 member countries, namely Brunei, Cambodia,Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand andVietnam./.