Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam has chosen“Cohesive and Responsive” as the theme of the ASEAN Chairmanship Year 2020,given the complicated developments in the region and the world that pose manychallenges to multilateralism and free trade as well as the increasingnon-traditional security threats.

At an international press conference in Hanoi onNovember 18, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and General Secretary of theASEAN National Committee 2020 Nguyen Quoc Dung said 2020 will be a significantyear to ASEAN in general and Vietnam in particular to review the mid-termimplementation of a general plan to build the ASEAN Community between 2015 and2025, and mark the 25th anniversary of Vietnam’s membership in theassociation. 

Vietnam will also take the role of anon-permanent member of the United Nations (UN) Security Council for 2020-2021,he added.

The official affirmed Vietnam’s strongdetermination to build a more connected and stronger ASEAN community based onthe outcomes gained by the previous ASEAN Chairs, and highlighted the country’sfive priorities.

Firstly, Vietnam will promote ASEAN’s role andactive contributions to the maintenance of peace, security and stability in theregion on the basic of strengthening intra-bloc solidarity, unification andcoordination to address regional and international matters.

Secondly, Vietnam will promote regionalconnectivity and adaptation; optimise opportunities from the Fourth IndustrialRevolution to promote sustainable and inclusive growth in economy, finance, andsociety; narrow development gaps; build high-quality human resources; andincrease social services for vulnerable groups.

Thirdly, Vietnam will raise public awareness ofASEAN’s identity by creating common values of ASEAN and widely popularsing themamong people.

Fourthly, Vietnam will step up partnerships forpeace and sustainable development with all countries around the world andpromote ASEAN’s role in and contributions to the international community. And

Fifthly, Vietnam will improve the adaptation andoperational efficiency of ASEAN, and improve its institutional reform.

According to Dung, Vietnam will chair,coordinate and organise about 300 conferences and various activities during theASEAN Chairmanship 2020, including important events such as a summit in Apriland November and the 41st General Assembly of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assemblyin August.

Other meetings will focus on ASEAN’s threepillars – politics and security; economy; and culture-society./.