Under the theme of a cohesive and responsive ASEAN, Vietnam has initiated 15 priorities in the economic pillar for the ASEAN Year 2020. Luong Hoang Thai, Head of the Multilateral Trade Policy Department at the Ministry of Industry and Trade, told a VOV reporter on the sidelines of the meeting. He said: “This meeting was crucial as it put forth orientations for economic cooperation, which will be put forward for consultation with other ASEAN members. Vietnam as the ASEAN Chair for next year drafted 15 economic priorities, which reflect Vietnam’s viewpoints in boosting regional cooperation. This was the first occasion when Vietnam officially submitted its initiatives with other ASEAN members.”

Vietnam’s 15 priorities focus on three main points: promoting intra-regional economic linkage, strengthening the partnership for peace and sustainable development, and enhancing adaptive capacity and performance of ASEAN.