(VNA) – ASEAN has pledged to continue expanding cooperation with the United Nations (UN) in the fields of trade, investment, education, and culture.

The commitment was made at the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ meeting with the UN Secretary General and the President of the UN General Assembly (AUMM). Participants reviewed the implementation of the ASEAN-UN Comprehensive Partnership, based on the joint report by the Secretariats of ASEAN and the UN. They also held discussions on preparations and key issues for the forthcoming 5th ASEAN-UN Summit, scheduled to take place in Phnom Penh on November 20.

ASEAN ministers informed their partners that, as part of the international community, ASEAN is determined to contribute to, and be part of the solutions of current global challenges by working with the UN to promote the values of the Global Movement of Moderates.

At the ASEAN and the Gulf of Cooperation Council (GCC) ministerial meeting on the sideline of the 67^th session of the UN General Assembly, the two sides agreed to boost the implementation of the ASEAN-GCC Action Plan for 2010-12, focusing on trade, investment, economics, education, culture, information, and bilateral consultation on international issues.