Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Quoc Dung, head of Vietnam ASEAN SOM, attended the ASEAN Senior Officials’ Meeting (SOM) on May 18 in the form of a teleconference.

Dung briefed the meeting on the implementation of results from the Special ASEAN Summit and Special ASEAN 3 Summit on COVID-19 (with China, Japan, and the Republic of Korea) on April 14.

He proposed focusing on the implementation of four major points agreed at these gatherings: establishing a COVID-19 ASEAN Response Fund and regional reserve warehouses of medical supplies, developing standard procedures in response to emergency public medical conditions, and putting forth post-COVID-19 recovery plans.

Regarding the 36th ASEAN Summit and related meetings, slated for June, Dung said Vietnam is stepping up preparations, with attention being paid to ensuring the highest security and safety for delegates.

He called for close coordination from other ASEAN member countries in the preparation work to ensure success.

Other ASEAN member countries lauded Vietnam’s ASEAN Chairmanship so far this year, especially the country’s response to the pandemic.

They affirmed their support for the enhancement of the realisation of the major results from the Special ASEAN Summit and Special ASEAN 3 Summit on COVID-19 proposed by Vietnam and committed to continued coordination with Vietnam to complete ASEAN priorities under the set roadmap.

The countries said they believe that the 36th ASEAN Summit will be a success and pledged to join hands with Vietnam in the preparation work.

Following the ASEAN senior officials meeting is the 32nd ASEAN-Australia Forum co-chaired by Malaysia and Australia, also in the teleconferencing format.

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