Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc at the plenary session of the 34th ASEAN Summit in Bangkok, Thailand (Photo: VGP)

As Vietnam will take on the ASEAN Chair next year, PM Phuc gave a speech at the plenum, appreciating the theme “Advancing Partnership for Sustainability” and the priorities proposed by Thailand during its ASEAN Chairmanship in 2019. Prime Minister Phuc said the ASEAN needs to place top priorities on continuing to reinforce its solidarity and cohesion, and enhancing the central role and the efficiency of ASEAN-chaired and -led regional mechanisms. He urged the bloc to boost intra-economic linkages, capitalize on of the already-made commitments and signed agreements, soon conclude the RCEP talks, create a favorable business environment, improve the capacity of responding to Industry 4.0’s opportunities and challenges, and connect and develop Industry 4.0 technological center networks. The Vietnamese government leader also suggested the ASEAN continue stepping up cooperation in the fields that will deliver practical benefits to the people, accelerate institutional reforms, and improve the efficiency of the bloc’s apparatus.

The summit approved the ASEAN Leaders’ Vision Statement on Partnership for Sustainability, the ASEAN Leaders’ Statement on the ASEAN Cultural Year 2019, and the Bangkok Declaration on fighting maritime waste in the region.