Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính and other ASEAN leaders at a reception held by Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni on Thursday. — VNA/VNS Photo

PHNOM PENH — Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính pledged further support for Cambodia’s efforts in building a strong ASEAN Community, as he joined other ASEAN leaders at a reception held by Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni on Thursday as part of the 40th and 41st ASEAN Summits and related summits in Phnom Penh.

On the basis of the two countries’ good neighbourliness, traditional friendship, and comprehensive and long-term sustainable cooperation, PM Chính affirmed that he will work to strengthen the sides’ coordination serving the same purpose.

The King took the occasion to thank Việt Nam for its active assistance to Cambodia’s ASEAN chairmanship this year.

Welcoming ASEAN leaders, King Sihamoni stressed his belief that the exchange of goodwill and sincerity between countries will contribute to strengthening the value of dialogue and cooperation, and promoting their mutual trust and understanding.

He stated Cambodia will work closely with other nations to maintain the collaboration momentum of the ASEAN Community and increase ASEAN's centrality for concerted efforts in finding solutions to current problems.

Participating ASEAN leaders voiced their support for Cambodia and said they believe that under the country's chairmanship, ASEAN summits will achieve substantive results, creating a premise and driving force for the bloc’s cooperation in the coming years in the spirit of "One Vision, One Identity, One Community". 

ASEAN Business and Investment Summit 

Later the same day, Prime Minister Chính attended and delivered a speech at ASEAN Business and Investment Summit 2022, themed "Addressing Challenges Together". This is an annual event of the ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ASEAN-BAC).

He stressed that ASEAN has become a dynamic and creative economic community with a total population of more than 650 million. This achievement was partly attributed to contributions by the business community.

Together with effective cooperation mechanisms of the business community in the region, enterprises have maintained close cooperation to help ASEAN overcome challenges, becoming one of the global bright spots in terms of growth and connection.

In the past, the ASEAN-BAC has promoted its role as the greatest forum of businesses in the region, which put forward and implemented breakthrough measures, bringing in long-term benefits for businesses and people, he said. 

In order to cope with global challenges, PM Chính said a global approach together with global solutions to overcome the crisis and recover the economy is needed, urging for efforts, solidarity and coordination of all ASEAN member countries as well as friends and partners.

He said governments, businesses and related parties within ASEAN need to effectively implement the comprehensive recovery framework which was adopted by ASEAN leaders during the 37th ASEAN Summit as well as other initiatives approved by ASEAN, focusing on three orientations, recovery, digitalisation and sustainability.

He recommended the ASEAN business community take opportunities from the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) – the current biggest free trade agreement in the region, to promote market connection and expansion, and develop the production chain and value chain.

The Vietnamese Government leader also suggested that ASEAN member countries should effectively implement the ASEAN strategy on the Fourth Industrial Revolution and the ASEAN Agreement on E-commerce, strongly promote digital transformation and invest in developing digital infrastructure, creating favourable conditions for regional connectivity and economic recovery.

He proposed ASEAN-BAC promotes its pioneer role in cooperation activities, pushing innovation and technology transfer, environmental protection and shifting to the circular economy as well as enhancing socio-economic recovery and development.

He asked businesses to closely work with governments in proposing ideas and initiatives to promote sustainable recovery for the regional economy.  

PM Chính affirmed that Việt Nam committed to creating the best business environment. Việt Nam will keep socio-political stability and macro economy, remove obstacles relating to legal mechanisms, infrastructure and human resources, develop supply chains and reduce transaction costs. The country is also willing to cooperate to enhance digital infrastructure connection and strive to create best conditions for businesses to tap business and investment opportunities.

Preparatory meeting for 40th, 41st ASEAN Summits

Minister of Foreign Affairs Bùi Thanh Sơn attended meetings of ASEAN Foreign Ministers in Phnom Penh on Thursday, which aimed to review the preparations for the 40th and 41st ASEAN Summits and relevant meetings. 

Sơn spoke highly of Cambodia's role as the ASEAN Chair 2022 with practical initiatives to help keep the momentum of ASEAN cooperation during last year.

He shared opinions with other ASEAN member nations' representatives on maintaining ASEAN's solidarity, resilience and adaptability in the context of factors destabilising the regional security. 

The minister also suggested ASEAN send a clear message to its partners on promoting cooperation and goodwill dialogue, instead of confrontation and criticism, at ASEAN-led mechanisms; and affirm that the group welcomes partners to participate in regional cooperation in the spirit of openness, transparency, inclusiveness, and respect for ASEAN's central role.

The officials discussed and commented on about 100 documents to be submitted to the upcoming summits.

At the 25th ASEAN Political-Security Community (APSC) Council Meeting, participants spoke highly of diverse and substantive cooperation activities of specialised agencies under the political-security pillar. 

During the 31st ASEAN Coordinating Council (ACC) Meeting, delegates heard an update report of the Secretary-General of ASEAN on activities of the bloc last year, discussed the ASEAN's cooperation in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, narrowing the development gap, and building ASEAN smart city network. 

They underlined the urgent need to strengthen ASEAN's institutional capacity, agreeing to submit recommendations to the Summits on improving ASEAN's operational efficiency, strengthening inter-sectoral and inter-pillar coordination, and promoting ASEAN presence in member countries.

Acknowledging the progress in drafting the post-2025 ASEAN Community Vision, delegates applauded efforts of the High-Level Task Force, and underlined the strategic and overarching significance of the draft, orientations to build a united, self-reliant and strong ASEAN Community in the coming time. — VNS