ASEAN looks to bridge development gap
VNGOP - The second Initiative for the ASEAN Integration (IAI) Development Cooperation Forum kicked off in Hanoi on June 12, attracting the attendance of Vietnamese Deputy PM, Foreign Minister Phạm Gia Khiêm; Lao Deputy PM, Foreign Minister Thoongloun Sisoulit; ASEAN General Secretary Ong Keng Yong and representatives from ASEAN members, ASEAN partners, international organizations and Vietnamese businesses.
Delegates to IDCF-2 – Photo: VNGOP
The two-day IDCF-2 under the theme “Towards developing new strategies for narrowing the development gap in ASEAN” is an important part in ASEAN's agenda to outline proper strategies and modes of combined operation in realizing the IAI and boosting the construction of ASEAN Community by 2015.
Addressing the forum, Deputy PM, Foreign Minister Phạm Gia Khiêm said "Narrowing the development gap is one of our top programs to ensure the successful construction of a dynamic, cohesive and integrated ASEAN. We should quickly and effectively observe our commitments to narrow the development gap within ASEAN and between ASEAN and external partners."
In his speech at the forum, current chairman of the IAI Task Force, Lao Deputy PM, Foreign Minister Thoongloun Sisoulith asserted that IAI is a strategic decision by ASEAN to maintain peace, stability and sustainable prosperity in Southeast Asia.
Mentioning how to fruitfully implement IAI and narrow the development gap in general, ASEAN General Secretary Ong Keng Yong suggested ASEAN to deepen its cooperation in realizing and supervising projects; attract the participation of different partners, including private sector; pay attention to infrastructure projects; and speed up IAI promotion.
By Nguyên Hồ
