ASEAN 2020 Chairmanship raised Vietnam’s stature, PM says

Minister of Industry and Trade Tran Tuan Anh chairs the 19th ASEAN Economic Community Council Meeting

Right direction

The year 2020 was a milestone for Vietnam, which not only performed the dual role of ASEAN Chair and non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for the 2020-2021 tenure but also effectively contained the Covid-19 pandemic and sustained economic growth. The theme chosen by Vietnam in advance for ASEAN Year 2020, “Cohesive and Responsive”, was prophetic.

Addressing a conference to review Vietnam’s performance, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc said Vietnam’s chairmanship of the Southeast Asian bloc was a complete success with a record number of documents adopted and Vietnam’s initiatives and priorities becoming a common asset of the bloc. Despite the difficulties posed by the pandemic, ASEAN leaders completed the mid-term review of the implementation of the 2025 ASEAN Community Master Plan and the 2025 ASEAN Connectivity Master Plan and endorsed the Hanoi Declaration on the post-2025 ASEAN Community Vision.

Vietnam, as ASEAN Chair 2020, organized special meetings on Covid-19 within ASEAN and between ASEAN and partners, and achieved four major targets - setting up an ASEAN fund for Covid-19 response, developing a regional reserve for medical supplies, devising plans to confront the pandemic, and providing a post-pandemic recovery framework. PM Phuc also highlighted the success in ensuring security and safety as well as portraying the ASEAN Community and Vietnam as stable, peaceful destinations.

The success of the ASEAN Chairmanship showcased Vietnam as a strong, trustworthy mainstay, especially at a challenging time like the Covid-19 pandemic, said PM Phuc.

RCEP signature

The Vietnamese Ministry of Industry and Trade successfully completed the mission of coordinating ASEAN’s economic activities in 2020, by proposing solutions and resolving urgent issues, such as maintaining trade activities, strengthening cooperation, promoting regional linkages, overcoming the consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic, and providing a post-pandemic recovery framework. In particular, the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) was signed after eight years of negotiations.

Minister of Industry and Trade Tran Tuan Anh said although 2020 was a difficult year for Vietnam, the country made great efforts to close the deal on November 15.

ASEAN Secretary-General Dato Lim Jock Hoi said the RCEP signing was a testament to the region’s convening power and leadership in advancing an open, inclusive and rules-based economic structure.