Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and General Secretary of the National ASEAN 2020 Committee Nguyen Quoc Dung (first from left) at the press conference (Photo: VNA)

Holding the ASEAN Chairmanship since 2019, before the COVID-19 epidemic was reported, Vietnam developed a agenda and action plan for the year embracing the theme “Cohesive and Responsive”.

When the COVID-19 epidemic broke out, Vietnam urged ASEAN countries to stay united and work together to reduce its impact on people’s lives. For the first time since it began, ASEAN’s meetings were held online.

Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Quoc Dung, Head of the ASEAN-Vietnam Senior Officials Meeting delegation, said: "When the COVID-19 pandemic broke out, Vietnam had to change its plans for its ASEAN Chairmanship year and persuade other countries of the feasibility of online meetings. Some countries were skeptical that progress could be made toward peace and stability spreading infections and fatalities due to coronavirus. These were the challenges for the ASEAN Chair to act in concert."

Mr. Dung said Vietnam proved that nothing is impossible when countries worked together and demonstrated strong leadership against the pandemic.

The theme “Cohesive and Responsive” proved to be timely and appropriate, said Mr. Dung: "Countries have praised the ASEAN theme “Cohesive and Responsive ASEAN”, which has become the bloc’s “brand”. Vietnam’s strategy of balancing the fight against the pandemic with bolstering the economy has been strongly supported by ASEAN and its partners.

Documents adopted in 2020 have affirmed ASEAN’s unity, cohesiveness, and responsiveness.