Prime Minister checks preparations for 37th ASEAN Summit, related events
Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc inspected preparations for the 37th ASEAN Summit and related meetings at the international convention centre in Hanoi on November 11.
Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc talks to officials while examining preparations for the 37th ASEAN Summit and related meetings on November 11 (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phucinspected preparations for the 37th ASEAN Summit and related meetings at theinternational convention centre in Hanoi on November 11.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the events fromNovember 12 to 15 will be held via videoconference with the participation ofleaders of the 10 ASEAN member nations and important partners.
The 37th ASEAN Summit and related meetings areamong the most important activities during the ASEAN Chairmanship of Vietnamthis year.
They will include seven ASEAN Plus One summits(between the bloc and China, Japan, the Republic of Korea, India, the US,Australia, and the UN), the 23rd ASEAN Plus Three Summit, the 15th East AsiaSummit, the ASEAN-New Zealand leaders’ summit to commemorate the 45thanniversary of their dialogue relations, the summit of leaders of membercountries of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), the Mekong-JapanSummit, the Mekong-Republic of Korea Summit, the 10thCambodia-Laos-Myanmar-Vietnam Summit, the 11th Cambodia-Laos-Vietnam Summit onDevelopment Triangle Area.
The first ASEAN women leadership summit, theASEAN Business and Investment Summit, and the East Asia Business Council Summitwill be among fringe activities.
Vietnam will hand over the ASEAN Chairmanship toBrunei at the closing ceremony.
At the opening ceremony of the events, PartyGeneral Secretary and State President Nguyen Phu Trong will make an importantaddress, and PM Phuc will deliver the opening speech after that.
Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Quoc Dungreported to the PM that apart from preparing agenda for the events, the besttechnical preparations have also been made, noting that ministerial meetingshave been organised well over the past few days.
After examining the events’ venues, PM Phuchighly valued the Foreign Ministry and relevant agencies’ preparations, fromtechnical to security issues.
As the opening ceremony will see the presence ofabout 250 Vietnamese and foreign guests, along with some 300 domestic andinternational reporters, the organisation of this ceremony as well as meetingsmust ensure safety from COVID-19 and, at the same time, reflect the host’shospitality.
He ordered the Foreign Ministry and relevantagencies to create the best possible conditions for reporters to cover theevents so as to help popularise Vietnam’s image.
PM Phuc also asked them to ensure high-qualityagenda for the 37th ASEAN Summit and related meetings which should discussissues of regional concern so as to help enhance cooperation and solidaritywithin the bloc./.
Vietnam has performed remarkably well as Chair of ASEAN in the face of all the obstacles and hurdles, said Choi Shing Kwok, Director of Singapore’s ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute and head of the ASEAN Studies Centre under ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute.
Vietnam’s permanent mission to ASEAN and the Committee of Permanent Representatives to ASEAN (CPR) are working hard to complete documents to submit to the 37th ASEAN Summit and related meetings, scheduled for November 12-15.
Under the leadership of Vietnam as ASEAN 2020 Chair, ASEAN has fulfilled all of its set goals, initiatives and priorities despite facing many great challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Lao Deputy Foreign Minister Thongphan Savanphet.
ASEAN Korea Center (AKC) Secretary General Lee Hyuk has appreciated the role of Vietnam in ASEAN and as ASEAN Chair this year as well as the prospects of ASEAN-ROK ties in the future in an interview given to the Vietnam News Agency on the threshold of the 37th Summit and related summits scheduled for November 12-15.
China-ASEAN relations set an example for the global response to the COVID-19 pandemic, boosted regional economic recovery, promoted regional peace and stability, and strengthened people-to-people ties, said Chinese Ambassador to ASEAN Deng Xijun.
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.
Deputy PM Le Thanh Long proposed countries promote shared values, including building trust, sincerity, and solidarity among nations and peoples; fostering cooperation spirit and responsible behaviour as well as upholding international law and the UN Charter; and placing people at the centre and as the goal, the key player, and the driving force of all policies.
The show, together with a grand parade to be held silmutaneously at Ba Dinh Square in Hanoi, will celebrate the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution, the National Day, and the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army (VPA).
In particular, in April 2023, the two sides successfully carried out a joint operation that dismantled a major organised, transnational drug trafficking ring involving both Vietnamese and Cambodian suspects.
The Vietnamese Embassy in Israel is closely coordinating with relevant local agencies to stay informed and provide the utmost support possible for Vietnamese nationals.
Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc talks to officials while examining preparations for the 37th ASEAN Summit and related meetings on November 11 (Photo: VNA) 
