Secretary General of ASEAN Dato Lim Jock Hoi. Photo courtesy of ASEAN Secretariat

Under the challenging context of the COVID-19 pandemic and growing tension in the region, Việt Nam has successfully performed its role as ASEAN Chair. This is further affirmed by Secretary General of ASEAN Dato Lim Jock Hoi who said Việt Nam’s Chairmanship of ASEAN has been exemplary in an interview with Vietnam News Agency.

Việt Nam has chosen the theme ‘Cohesive and Responsive’ for its ASEAN Chairmanship in 2020. How has this spirit been materialised in practice?

Việt Nam’s Chairmanship theme this year, ‘Cohesive and Responsive’, is both prescient and highly relevant in the face of COVID-19, which is considered to be the defining global health crisis of our time. In addressing this challenge, Việt Nam has successfully rallied the collective will and resources of the region, especially in synchronising ASEAN’s response to the pandemic.

This ‘Cohesive and Responsive’ spirit is aptly expressed through the adoption of the ASEAN Comprehensive Recovery Framework and Implementation Plan during the Summit last month. The development of the framework and its implementation plan galvanised all the ASEAN Community Pillars and Sectoral Bodies toward a coordinated regional response, as well as charting the path for an inclusive and resilient socio-economic recovery.

Amidst geostrategic uncertainties, Việt Nam’s Chairmanship also strengthened the ties of friendship and deepened trust among ASEAN Member States, and with our external partners through intensified cooperation.

The signing of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) Agreement, following eight years of negotiations with ASEAN at the driving seat, stands as a testament to the region’s convening power and leadership in advancing an open, inclusive, and rules-based economic architecture.

Maintaining ASEAN centrality, pushing joint efforts to fight the COVID-19 pandemic, promoting regional economic recovery, concluding the RCEP — What are the most outstanding results achieved by ASEAN in this very difficult year?

Every achievement is unique and commendable in their own way. This year, our Member States have been outstanding in continuing their work despite labouring under various degrees of lockdown and quarantine measures. As the world came to a near standstill, ASEAN continued to progress in our community-building agenda, remained united and open for business.

I am pleased that we were able to achieve our key deliverables for this year, which includes the conclusion of the RCEP, the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding on the implementation of non-tariff measures on essential goods under the Hà Nội Plan of Action, and the adoption of the Roadmap for Human Resources Development for the Changing World of Work. The fact that ASEAN was able to realise all of these initiatives amidst experiencing an unprecedented challenge has, in many ways, affirmed our success.

At the same time, ASEAN must be prepared to respond to other potential crises in the future. We can do this by taking into account global trends and geostrategic developments. Above all, ASEAN must remain united, agile and resolute in working towards the ASEAN Community Vision 2025 as well as implementing the Comprehensive Economic Recovery Plan which is vital to our future economic growth.

How has Việt Nam performed its role as ASEAN Chair, especially in the challenging context of the COVID-19 pandemic and growing tension in the region?

Việt Nam’s Chairmanship of ASEAN has been exemplary. Despite having to deal with the impact of COVID-19 and natural disasters, Việt Nam has provided strong leadership in keeping the region cohesive and responsive to these challenges, placing ASEAN Centrality and the interest of our people at the forefront of our work. VNS