The 13th ASEM Summit themed "Strengthening Multilateralism for Shared Growth" takes place in Cambodia from November 25-26 in an online format. (Photo: Khmer Times)

2021 marks 25 years of ASEM, the largest dialogue mechanism connecting Asian and European countries through cooperation, mostly in socio-cultural and economic development.

Development path 

ASEM was established in March 1996 at the initiative of Singapore and France, with strong support from Vietnam and other ASEAN members. ASEM is an informal forum for heads of state and leaders of the EU and the ASEAN Secretariat. Its goal is to forge "a new comprehensive partnership between Asia and Europe for stronger growth" and "strengthen mutual understanding between the peoples of the two continents and establish close dialogue between equal partners.” Activities are conducted on three pillars: political-security dialogue; economic-financial cooperation; and social-cultural cooperation.

Since its inception ASEM has doubled its membership – from 26 to 53 members – to become the largest dialogue and cooperation mechanism between the two continents. ASEM currently represents about 60% of the world’s population, 55% of global trade, 75% of global tourism revenue, and 65% of global GDP. For 25 years this special dialogue mechanism has been promoting multi-level cooperation for peace and development.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh. (Photo: VNA)

Cooperation for shared prosperity

Faced with the rapid and complex change around the world, ASEM has worked to improve its operational efficiency, promote multilateralism and the Asia-Europe partnership, and boost its own role in shaping the global landscape. ASEM's cooperation is expanding, but remains focused on realizing sustainable development goals and responding to global challenges, particularly climate change, natural disasters, water resource management, and energy, food, and cyber security. ASEM promotes inclusive development, innovation, support for small and medium-sized enterprises, improvement of human resources, and rapid adaptation to Industry 4.0.

The agenda of the 13th ASEM Summit covered orientations for ASEM cooperation, reviving multilateralism for global peace and stability, strengthening the rules-based multilateral trading system, sustainable and inclusive development and growth, and emerging regional and global issues. The Summit adopted three important documents: the Presidential Statement on Strengthening Multilateralism for Shared Growth; the Phnom Penh Declaration on COVID-19 and Economic Recovery; and the Orientation for Cooperation on Connecting ASEM.

As head of the government of one of the founding members of, and most effective contributors to ASEM, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh delivered an important speech at the online Summit in which he emphasized the role of ASEM cooperation in the future and reaffirmed Vietnam's consistent stance on a number of major issues affecting peace, stability, and development for the common good of the region and the world.