Kao Kim Hourn, Secretary-General of ASEAN (Photo: asean.org) Jakarta (VNA) – Enhancing connectivity andresilience are key priorities of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations(ASEAN) in 2024, according to Kao Kim Hourn, the bloc's Secretary-General.
As the world and the region continue towitness multi-dimensional, complex and unpredictable developments in bothgeopolitics and geo-economics, the bloc requires joint efforts and solidarityof member countries to deal with challenges, he said in an interview withVietnam News Agency correspondents in Jakarta.
He noted that this is appropriate because ASEAN is in thefinal stages of implementing the Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity (MPAC) 2025, which was approved in 2016.
The official emphasised that nine priorities of Laos for itsASEAN Chairmanship 2024, including four on enhancing connectivity and five onenhancing resilience, are key to the development of the region.
An ASEAN Leaders' Declaration on "Enhancing connectivityand resilience" is scheduled to be issued at the 44th and 45th ASEANSummits in October 2024, he added.
ASEAN determines that economic cooperation and connectionwill help the bloc strengthen its internal strength, aiming to develop a greeneconomy and tackle climate change, which are challenges to the region.
ASEAN is committed to sustainable development byhighlighting cross-cutting activities on circular economy and carbonneutrality.
The ASEAN chief noted that the bloc hasundertaken more than 50 initiatives covering a range of fields, includingbiotechnology, meteorology, microelectronics and space technology. To promotegreen growth, a lot of initiatives havebeen implemented such as establishing the ASEAN Network on Biology, Informationand Green Economy; developing climate change guidelines; transfering green technology to enterprises.
In the context that competition between major powers becomesincreasingly fierce and unpredictable, ASEAN advocates deepening therelationship between ASEAN and its partners in a substantive and effectivemanner to ensure the bloc’s centrality and promote regional development, he added.
🌟 The ASEAN leader said he strongly believes that with allthese factors, ASEAN will be able to promote its tradition of solidarity andunity and overcome the above-mentioned challenges./.
