Vietnamese Foreign Minister chairs ASEM High-level Policy Dialogue

Vietnamese Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son on June 22 chaired the ASEM High-level Policy Dialogue themed “ASEM at 25: Strengthening Asia-Europe Partnership in a Transforming World.”

Delegates at the dialogue pose for a group photo. (Photo: VNA)

Delegates at the dialogue pose for a group photo. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnamese Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son on June 22 chaired the ASEM High-level Policy Dialogue themed “ASEM at 25: Strengthening Asia-Europe Partnership in a Transforming World.”

The event, held in both online and in-person forms, saw the attendance of nearly 200 delegates from governmental agencies, businesses and social organisations, and scholars from 53 member countries of the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM), along with representatives from international organisations.

The high-level policy dialogue was initiated by Vietnam on the occasion of the 25th founding anniversary of the ASEM (1996-2021) and one of the major activities of the forum this year.

It offered an opportunity for the members to discuss development orientations and visions of the Asia-Europe partnership in the new period to effectively contribute to peace, stability, prosperity and sustainable development in the two continents and the world at large.

Its outcomes would significantly contribute to the 13th ASEM Summit scheduled to take place on November 25 and 26 in Cambodia.

In his remarks, Son lauded remarkable achievements and progress of the partnership over the past 25 years, and affirmed that Asia-Europe cooperation continues to be a priority in Vietnam’s foreign policy.

The world is witnessing profound transformation in all aspects as a result of scientific and technological breakthroughs, geo-economic and geo-political shifts, the emergence of new, complex, inter-related traditional and non-traditional security challenges, and the impact of COVID-19, Son said.

Vietnamese Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son speaks a the dialogue. (Photo: VNA)
Vietnamese Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son speaks a the dialogue. (Photo: VNA)

The minister also pointed to numerous hurdles standing in the way of international cooperation, including protectionism, unilateralism, and behaviors that erode international law.

In such a rapidly changing and complex world, the Asia - Europe partnership and cooperation is more important than ever, he said, stressing that it is, in fact, indispensable to the world’s stability and prosperity.

It is high time for ASEM to devise a new vision to create new drivers and vitality, and carve out for it a befitting role in the evolving regional and global architecture, the minister said.

He called on the member countries to demonstrate stronger resolve, take bolder actions, and choose an appropriate path to move forward so that ASEM would reap more successes.

It is important for ASEM to prioritise areas that meet the development needs of its member countries, pay due attention to confidence-building measures, and contribute through concrete actions to the global restructuring process towards inclusive and sustainable development, Son suggested.

To this end, he proposed three major objectives for ASEM cooperation in the coming decades, comprising maintaining a favorable international environment of peace, stability, dialogue and trust; playing a leading role and making greater efforts to enhance sustainable and inclusive development; and laying a solid foundation for sustainable, enduring, and mutually beneficial economic ties between Asia and Europe.

At the dialogue (Photo: VNA)

At the dialogue (Photo: VNA)

With the aim of contributing to building a new vision for the Asia-Europe partnership, the dialogue focused on major changes in the world and the two continents, new factors and trends that impact the cooperation in the coming decades, the role of Asia-Europe cooperation in addressing global challenges, consolidating multilateral cooperation and spurring sustainable and inclusive growth, and Asia-Europe cooperation vision in the next periods.

The delegates shared the view on the significance of the partnership, especially in a rapidly changing and complex world, and committed to promoting the close coordination between the member countries.

Appreciating Vietnam’s initiative, they said the dialogue has importantly contributed to maintaining cooperation pace, given ASEM’s activities disrupted by the pandemic.

They said ASEM needs to have a new cooperation vision to better contribute to peace, security, stability and sustainable development in the two continents and the world, while meeting development requirements in the member countries.

They suggested innovation in cooperative activities to bring practical benefits to people.

The dialogue has affirmed Vietnam’s role and contributions to ASEM, as well as joint efforts made by the country and other member nations in building the Asia-Europe partnership.
VNA

Other News

National Assembly Chairman urges renovation in leadership, working style

National Assembly Chairman urges renovation in leadership, working style

The NA's Committee for Cultural and Social Affairs has moved fast to reshuffle its organisation after the 14th National Party Congress and the election of deputies to the 16th NA, updating its work agenda to match new directives set out in the resolutions of the 14th National Party Congress and the first Congress of the NA Party Organisation for the 2025–2030 term.

Vietnam treasures ties with Croatia: PM

Vietnam treasures ties with Croatia: PM

Vietnam and Croatia should strive to double bilateral trade turnover from the current level of 161 million USD; study the establishment of a Joint Committee on Economic Cooperation to create a long-term, stable, and effective framework for collaboration, said Prime Minister Le Minh Hung.

President Ho Chi Minh's enduring legacy highlighted at Venezuela commemoration

President Ho Chi Minh's enduring legacy highlighted at Venezuela commemoration

Vice President of the United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV) Jesús Faria expressed deep admiration for President Ho Chi Minh and Vietnam’s indomitable struggle for national independence. He described President Ho Chi Minh as an immortal symbol of 20th-century national liberation movements, whose legacy continues to inspire leftist parties, progressive movements, and peoples across Latin America, including Venezuela.

Vietnam proposes key cooperation orientations at BRICS Foreign Ministers' Meeting

Vietnam proposes key cooperation orientations at BRICS Foreign Ministers' Meeting

Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Minh Hang shared Vietnam’s approach to building an independent and self-reliant economy linked to deep international integration, while proposing several key areas for enhanced cooperation between BRICS and partner countries at the Expanded BRICS Foreign Ministers' Meeting that opened on May 14 in India.

Vietnam asks parties to respect its sovereignty over Truong Sa

Vietnam asks parties to respect its sovereignty over Truong Sa

PSNews - The spokesperson stated that the dispatch of personnel by relevant parties to features belonging to Truong Sa without Vietnam’s permission constitutes a violation of Vietnam’s sovereignty under international law. She stressed that such actions run counter to the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) as well as ongoing efforts by countries to negotiate a Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC).

Hanoi to host ASEAN Future Forum 2026 in mid-June

Hanoi to host ASEAN Future Forum 2026 in mid-June

PSNews - Vietnam’s proposals placed the highest priority on ensuring a peaceful and stable environment conducive for continued sustainable development and improving the well-being and happiness of the ASEAN people. They were praised by member states and incorporated into the core contents of the ASEAN Leaders’ Statement on the response to the Middle East crisis.

Vietnam promotes cooperation with United Nations on crime prevention

Vietnam promotes cooperation with United Nations on crime prevention

Vietnam highly values the support of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in strengthening national capacity in crime prevention and criminal justice, drug control, and addressing emerging challenges, particularly cybercrime, said Ambassador Vu Le Thai Hoang.

Party, State leader calls for consolidation of central steering committees on legal, judicial reform

Party, State leader calls for consolidation of central steering committees on legal, judicial reform

Consolidating the central steering committees for institutional and legal reform and for judicial reform is necessary in order to streamline organisational structures without reducing responsibilities, while ensuring clear accountability, measurable outputs and concrete results. Following the restructuring, the body will be renamed the central steering committee for institutional improvement and law enforcement, with the Party General Secretary and State President serving as its head.

Vietnam strives for substantive outcome at NPT review conference

Vietnam strives for substantive outcome at NPT review conference

At the meeting this week, Ambassador Viet briefed the UNGA President on developments during the first two weeks of the conference. He stressed that the current international geopolitical landscape poses numerous complex challenges, while reaffirming Vietnam’s determination, together with other member states, to promote substantive and balanced outcomes at the conference.

Top leader of Vietnam receives Vientiane official in Hanoi

Top leader of Vietnam receives Vientiane official in Hanoi

The host leader stressed that cooperation between localities, particularly between the capitals of Hanoi and Vientiane, plays an especially important role as a pioneering force in effectively implementing the foreign polices of the two Parties and States, while also serving as a bridge between politics and development, as well as between strategy and concrete action.