PM Pham Minh Chinh attends the 38th ASEAN Summit (Photo: VNA)

At the 38th ASEAN Summit, ASEAN leader adopted the ASEAN Travel Corridor Arrangement Framework, and agreed to actively consider the possibility of mutual recognizing and applying electronic vaccination certificates. Countries called for early putting into operation the ASEAN Regional Reserve of Medical Supplies and the ASEAN Centre for Response to Public Health Emergencies and Emerging Diseases (ACPHEED).

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh proposed two key tasks that ASEAN should focus on doing in the time to come during the ongoing 38th ASEAN Summit on October 26. He said ASEAN needs a holistic, synchronous and flexible approach to COVID-19 control with the involvement of the entire community, and to position itself in the world’s reshaping socio-economic relationship, and consolidate its role as the nucleus of dialogue, cooperation and multilateral and multi-layered economic integration processes in the region.

ASEAN leaders approved, recognised and announced many important documents.

At the 39th ASEAN Summit, leaders shared the view that ASEAN needs to work harder to strengthen and deepen its partnerships, encourage the partners to support and practically contribute to the building of the ASEAN Community, and join efforts to deal with emerging challenges.

The leaders reiterated the importance of the full and efficient implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea/South China Sea (DOC) and welcomed the resumption of talks on a Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC) between ASEAN and China. They imphasised the need to maintain a conducive environment for the COC negotiations and continue with efforts towards a binding, effective COC in accordance with international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

For the Myanmar matter, they agreed to provide more assistance for the country, affirming that solidarity is the key for ASEAN and Myanmar to find out effective solutions to the current complex issues in the country.

PM Chinh affirmed that the highest wish of all countries to have a regional environment of peace, security, stability and cooperation in order for them to focus on fighting the pandemic, restoring economy and continuing to develop. He stressed the need to uphold ASEAN solidarity and the bloc’s core values and strengths over the past 54 years, along with the responsibility and constructive spirit of all member nations.

He called on major countries participating in the region to show their sense of responsibility, respect international law, not to affect regional peace and stability, respect ASEAN’s role, and fully consult ASEAN through mechanisms established and led by the bloc.

At the 22nd ASEAN-Republic of Korea Summit, ROK President Moon Jae-in affirmed that he values the strategic partnership with ASEAN, highlighting that the organisation is a key priority of the New Southern Policy Plus (NSPP) of the RoK. He reiterated the RoK's support for ASEAN’s central role in the regional structure and the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP).

The RoK will continue to help ASEAN battle the COVID-19 pandemic, he said, announcing an additional 5 million USD in contribution to the ASEAN COVID-19 Response Fund. He also unveiled the ASEAN-RoK public health and vaccine initiative in connection with the regular organisation of the ASEAN-RoK Health Ministers’ Meeting since this year.

ASEAN leaders appreciated the timely and effective support of the RoK, and welcomed the Rok becoming a major trade partner and investor of ASEAN.

As coordinator for ASEAN-RoK relations, PM Chinh put forward some priorities in expanding and deepening the ASEAN-RoK strategic partnership in the coming time, calling on the RoK to use its strengths in digital technology and digital economy to support ASEAN in digital transformation and sustainable development, as well as in narrowing the development gap via the Mekong-RoK cooperation.

At the 24th ASEAN-China Summit, leaders agreed that the bilateral relations have been strengthened with positive results obtained across all sectors, notably cooperation in COVID-19 response and post-pandemic recovery.

ASEAN members thanked China for its timely support right since the emergence of COVID-19.

For his part, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said China will continue to support ASEAN in fighting the pandemic, and hopes to work with the organisation for successful recovery.

China will assist ASEAN with COVID-19 vaccine, medical supplies and enhancement of early warning capacity, he said.

The Chinese premier suggested the two sides set up an ASEAN-China public health research and development centre to share scientific and technological achievements in disease prevention and control; and announced an additional 10 million USD for the ASEAN-China Cooperation Fund.

PM Chinh affirmed that ASEAN and China have built a comprehensive and substantive cooperation platform across all fields and showed their efforts and strong commitments in deepening the bilateral relations based on mutual trust, understanding, respect and win-win cooperation.

He appreciated China’s support for countries, including Vietnam, to bring the pandemic under control and maintain growth.

He proposed that ASEAN and China bolster economic cooperation, quickly resume air services, tourism, regional production and supply chains, and create favourable conditions for safe travel of people and entrepreneurs.

PM Chinh expressed a hope that China would assist ASEAN in promoting its centrality, consolidating strategic trust and building a friendly and stable environment conducive for cooperation for common development.

He reiterated ASEAN's stance on the East Sea and called on the sides to fully and effectively implement the DOC and accelerate negotiations on a practical and effective COC that is in accordance with international law and the 1982 UNCLOS.

The sides agreed on the holding of a special summit marking the 30th anniversary of the ASEAN-China relations.

The summit concluded with the adoption of the ASEAN-China Joint Statement on Cooperation in Support of the ASEAN Comprehensive Recovery Framework and another on Enhancing Green and Sustainable Development Cooperation.

At the 9th ASEAN-US Summit, countries welcomed progress made in the two sides’ multifaceted cooperation and agreed to prioritise collaboration for effective COVID-19 control and support each other in sustainable recovery.

ASEAN leaders welcomed the US’s commitment to helping ASEAN enhance medical capacity and providing more vaccine, while calling on the US to strengthen cooperation in researching, developing and producing vaccine and medicine for COVID-19 treatment.

US President Joe Biden reaffirmed the US commitment to strengthening its partnership with ASEAN and underscored the importance of the US-ASEAN ties to the future of a region of over 1 billion people, as well as to security and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific.

He expressed support for ASEAN’s centrality in efforts to build a regional structure based on rules and values and principles stated in the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP).

The US President said the country has presented more than 200 million USD for COVID-19 response and 40 million doses of vaccine to ASEAN members. The US will continue to support the region in the fight against the pandemic and carry out the ASEAN-US Health Futures initiative, Biden stated.

The President announced the intent to provide up to 102 million USD in new initiatives to expand the US-ASEAN Strategic Partnership to support the region’s recovery from COVID-19, address the climate crisis, promote economic growth, and develop human capital.

The two sides reaffirmed the significance of maintaining peace, security and stability in the region.

The US voiced support of the ASEAN’s principled stance on the East Sea, and welcomed ASEAN’s promoting cooperation, dialogue and trust building, ensuring the full and effective implementation of the DOC and working to build an effective and binding COC in accordance with international law and the 1982 UNCLOS.

The US President expressed support for ASEAN efforts to promote dialogue and reconciliation and assist Myanmar in seeking solutions to stabilize the situation.

The Vietnamese PM suggested boosting the ASEAN-US strategic partnership in all three aspects of security, socio-economic recovery and sustainable, inclusive development.

He thanked the US for its timely and practical assistance to ASEAN member countries, including Vietnam, in the COVID-19 fight, and suggested the US help ASEAN improve its early-warning capacity for medical emergencies, and called on US firms that produce vaccines and treatment drugs to quickly fulfill vaccine contracts with ASEAN countries, including Vietnam.

He also proposed that the US further assist the ten-member bloc in narrowing development gaps and connecting regions.

For security “hot spots” like the East Sea, PM Chinh said constructive approach and responsible behaviour play an important role in handling risks, contributing to stability and development.

He expressed his hope that the US will actively join and cooperate with ASEAN in ensuring peace, stability, security, safety and freedom of navigation and aviation in the East Sea, in the spirit of respecting law and peacefully settle all disputes and differences via diplomatic measures and on the basis of international law, including the 1982 UNCLOS.

The PM also shared the US’s concerns, saying he hopes that the US will back ASEAN to play a more active role in efforts seeking sustainable solutions to the Myanmar issue.

At the end of the summit, the two sides adopted the ASEAN-US Leaders' Statement on Digital Development that aims to promote digital transformation and narrow digital gaps in ASEAN.