Vietnam's imprint in ASEAN: Dedicated 'brick by brick' to build a common roof, growing stronger over the years (Part II)
WVR - Vietnam has been participating in ASEAN for nearly three decades. It can be seen that this is the process of striving together for a peaceful, tolerant and prosperous Southeast Asia in the large world. ASEAN's growth is closely linked to Vietnam, and Vietnam's development has the image of ASEAN.
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| ASEAN's growth is closely linked to Vietnam, and Vietnam's development has the image of ASEAN. In the image: ASEAN Family Day 2022 in Vietnam. (Photo: Nguyen Hong) |
ASEAN's growth is closely linked to Vietnam, and Vietnam's development has the image of ASEAN.
Efforts for a sustainable Community
With the motto of being "proactive, positive and responsible", Vietnam participates extensively and comprehensively in ASEAN cooperation in all fields. During the ASEAN Chairmanship year 2020, Vietnam chaired the mid-term review and assessment of the implementation of the ASEAN Community Vision 2025 and approved the orientation for building the ASEAN Community Vision after 2025. This can be considered one of the most important and largest contributions of Vietnam as a member of ASEAN.
In the field of politics and security, Vietnam is a pioneer in implementing focuses and priorities towards the goal of forming the ASEAN Community, fully implementing obligations and commitments in the process of building the ASEAN Community.
Vietnam not only completed the agreed commitments, but also proactively received and presided over the implementation of many lines of action in the political-security master plan. Vietnam's behavior in ASEAN towards international and regional issues affecting to peace, security and stability, such as the South China Sea and Myanmar issues, demonstrates the Vietnam’s spirit of construction, balance, harmony and creativity, contributing to strengthening solidarity, unity and consensus of ASEAN. Vietnam’s spirit always highly appreciated by other countries.
On the economic front, Vietnam has proactively and actively participated in the ASEAN economic integration process from the beginning in the fields of trade, investment, finance and currency; actively participate in developing important regulations and agreements of ASEAN as well as implementing commitments according to the predetermined roadmap.
Vietnam is one of the two countries with the highest implementation rate of priority measures in the Master Plan for Building the Economic Community (AEC) in 2015 (with a rate of 95.5%, ranking second after Singapore). Vietnam is also one of the leading countries in implementing/piloting trade facilitation measures, such as the ASEAN single window mechanism, self-certification of origin, trade database...
With a key role in implementing and upgrading ASEAN+1 free trade agreements (FTAs), Vietnam has ratified most of the Protocols on upgrading FTAs. In particular, as ASEAN 2020 Chairmanship, Vietnam has promoted the successful signing of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) after 10 years of initiating ideas and 8 years of negotiations, marking a turning point and demonstrating the strong commitment of participating parties to promote economic recovery, move towards inclusive development as well as support open, inclusive, rules-based trade and investment agreements, creating motivation for sustainable recovery in the region.
Realizing a truly people-oriented and people-centered ASEAN Community, Vietnam is one of the leading countries in promoting ASEAN's socio-cultural cooperation; participating extensively in all areas of cooperation, effectively implement cooperation programs and launch many practical initiatives.
Immediately after the formation of the ASEAN Community at the end of 2015, Vietnam soon built and effectively implemented the Plan to implement the goals of the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC) until 2025.
In parallel with efforts to promote cooperation and connectivity within ASEAN, Vietnam has actively participated in promoting cooperation between ASEAN and external partners in many different fields, while contributing to promoting and maintaining ASEAN's leading role in regional cooperation processes such as ASEAN+1, ASEAN+3, East Asia Summit (EAS)...
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| Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh attended the 26th ASEAN+3 Summit (with China, Japan, and Korea) in Indonesia in September 2023. (Photo: Anh Son) |
Cohesive and Responsive ASEAN: Looking to the future together
The situation in the world and region is moving rapidly, complicatedly, containing many risks and uncertainties. After nearly 60 years of formation and development, although it is highly appreciated for its achievements, ASEAN is also facing many challenges. The regional context is directly affecting ASEAN, requiring a spirit of solidarity and greater cohesion, improving the ability to adapt to rapid and complex changes in the international and regional situation, joining hands in solving the challenges facing the region.
With a deep sense of responsibility and a willingness to shoulder responsibilities and maintain achievements, Vietnam will participate and contribute more proactively, actively, responsibly and effectively to common tasks of the ASEAN Community. Specifically:
Firstly, strengthening deep economic links and comprehensive connectivity within the bloc and with partners, promoting trade and investment, towards common prosperity, and consolidating a solid foundation in relations between countries.
Second, strengthening solidarity and unity, promoting ASEAN's role and positive contribution to maintaining a peaceful, secure and stable environment in the region are prerequisites for cooperation and development.
Third, spreading the culture of consultation and dialogue, promoting the spirit of attachment, mutual assistance and support among member countries; improving the ability to coordinate ASEAN's common stance in handling regional and international issues; promoting the formation and compliance with common rules and standards of conduct in relations between countries; responding promptly and effectively to challenges that threaten peace, security and stability in the region.
Fourth, promoting sustainable and inclusive economic, financial and social growth on the basis of innovation, application of digital technology and new technologies; striving to narrow the development gap; building high-quality human resources to meet the requirements of the times.
Fifth, deepening the sense of community and ASEAN identity, creating common ASEAN values and widely disseminate them among the people, promoting awareness of the ASEAN Community united in diversity, and enhancing the image of the ASEAN Community in the region and the world.
Sixth, promoting partnerships for peace and sustainable development with countries around the world, promoting ASEAN's role and contribution in the international community; expanding and enhance relationships with global partners, contributing to shaping the new structure and "rules of the game" in the region and the world.
Seventh, improving ASEAN's adaptive capacity and operational efficiency, continuing to improve the operating and coordination mechanisms of ASEAN agencies, and enhancing the attractiveness of ASEAN-led mechanisms, ensuring that ASEAN procedures and processes are followed and respected.
Looking back on nearly three decades of participating in ASEAN, Vietnam and other member countries have laid “each brick” for the formation and development of the ASEAN Community. Vietnam's contributions demonstrate a consistent and consistent spirit of filial piety, harmony, friendship for peace, stability, and common prosperity.
An united, unified, developed and strong ASEAN, which is a core force in maintaining peace and stability in Southeast Asia and the broader Asia-Pacific - Indian Ocean region, is a common benefit to all countries. In the coming steps, Vietnam will continue to join hands and efforts with member countries to realize ASEAN becoming the focal point and driving force of peace, cooperation and development.
* Ambassador Vu Ho, Head of SOM ASEAN Vietnam, Director General of ASEAN Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
