- Vietnam enhance cooperation on drug control with Mekong sub-regional countries
- Mekong sub-regional countries enhance cooperation on drug control
He made such statement at the ASEAN Forum on Sub-regional Development: Converging Mekong sub-regional cooperation with ASEAN goals that was held in the form of a teleconference in Hanoi on July 14.
Speaking at the event, Minister of Industry and Trade Tran Tuan Anh said that, after 25 years of economic integration, ASEAN has become one of the most vibrant and dynamic economies in the world. In particular, the formal establishment of the ASEAN Economic Community at the end of 2015 was a major milestone in the regional economic integration agenda of ASEAN, which made it become the fifth largest economy in the world.
"I believe that ASEAN sub-regional frameworks are playing more and more important role in building ASEAN Community and this co-operation should be further enhanced in the future", he said.
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| Minister of Industry and Trade Tran Tuan Anh speaking at the event. |
However, he pointed out that, besides the success that has been achieved, we cannot ignore the fact that we are living in an unpredictably changing world, where the rule-based multilateral trading system is facing challenge, the COVID-19 pandemic is widely spreading.
In this context, he emphasized that it is very important for ASEAN and all the sub-regional partners to keep implementing the existing commitments under respective frameworks, especially those relating to trade and investment facilitation so as to secure smooth operation of regional supply chains and promotion of digital economy development.
Within the framework of the forum, policy makers, businesses and academia discussed efficient plans and concrete measures to facilitate greater bond between ASEAN and its sub-regional cooperation mechanisms with the aim to strengthen the ASEAN regional connectivity and promote prosperity and sustainable development for all parties.
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| At the event. |
For his part, Mr. Nguyen Quoc Dzung, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Viet Nam, ASEAN SOM Leader of Viet Nam affirmed that, emerging as one of the most successful regional economic integration initiatives, ASEAN is now positioning itself as the world’s fifth largest economy, “a trade powerhouse” and “a compelling investment destination”.
Regarding the Mekong sub-regions, he called it one of ASEAN’s most dynamic sub-regions. Serving as a strategic corridor connecting East Asia and South Asia, a land bridge between the Indian and Pacific Oceans, the Mekong sub-region demonstrates itself as a crucial link in the global supply chains and regional transport networks.
He suggested that, on one hand, sub-regional development should be closely aligned with ASEAN’s key documents that outline the organization’s overall goals and direction.
On the other hand, ASEAN can, and should exert greater influence on Mekong development through creating a platform for regular dialogues, ASEAN joint actions and engagement with development partners.
ASEAN, therefore, needs to uphold its collective leadership in maintaining its central role in the evolving sub-regional architecture, and in forging and shaping the vision for closer and broader cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region.
