Viet Nam hosts 20th East Asia Forum

The two-day event attracted the participation of officials, representatives and scholars from 10 ASEAN member countries, China, Japan, the Republic of Korea (RoK) and the ASEAN Deputy Secretary-General.

Addressing the event, Ambassador Vu Ho, acting head of SOM ASEAN Viet Nam highlighted the significance of the EAF-20 held on the occasion of the 25th founding anniversary of ASEAN+3 (China, Japan and the RoK).

He expected that delegates to the forum would put foward measures to boost ASEAN+3 cooperation in the next phase, strengthen solidarity in handling regional challenges and enhance the post-COVID-19 recovery process in the region, heading to green and sustainable development.  

Deputy Foreign Minister and head of the RoK SOM Choi Young-sam said his country will continue working closely with ASEAN, China and Japan to further promote ASEAN+3 cooperation in the coming time. 

He suggested giving priority to trade cooperation, financial stability, support for small and medium-sized enterprises, capacity building for health resilience, digital transformation, response to climate change, and promotion of even and sustainable development.

In his remarks, ASEAN Deputy Secretary-General Tran Duc Binh suggested in the near future, ASEAN coordinate with China, Japan and the RoK to strengthen and further uphold the role of cooperation mechanisms within the ASEAN 3 framework, thus making effective contributions to maintaining peace and stability in the region.

He proposed stepping up economic, trade and financial cooperation as a lever to propel recovery and inclusive growth, towards sustainable development while giving priority to consolidating regional health capacity, especially in research, development and production of vaccines.

Results of discussions at the event will be submitted to senior officials of ASEAN+3 countries to set specific orientations and measures to further deepen ASEAN+3 cooperation in the new period./.