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ASEAN, UN commits to advocating rules-based int’l order

VGP – ASEAN and the United Nations have re-affirmed their resolve to uphold multilateral cooperation and build a rules-based international order.

October 22, 2020 12:16 PM GMT+7

Deputy Prime Minister, Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh chairs ASEAN-United Nations Ministerial Meeting held in virtual format on October 21, 2020. Photo: VGP

This is one of the major points stressed at the online ASEAN-UN Ministerial Meeting on October 21 under the chair of Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh.  

The annual event also drew the attendance of ASEAN Foreign Ministers, the President of the 75th Session of the UN General Assembly, the UN Secretary-General, and the Secretary-General of ASEAN.

The meeting aimed to review progress of the ASEAN-UN comprehensive partnership and preparations for the 11th ASEAN-UN Summit slated for next month.

Both UNGA President Volkan Bozkir and the UN Secretary-General António Guterres emphasized that ASEAN represents an indispensable partner and voiced support for the bloc’s centrality and community building efforts.

The UN also spoke highly of Viet Nam’s role in rallying efforts to respond to the COVID-19 and step up ASEAN Community building in its capacity as the current ASEAN Chair.

The UN officials pledged to continue assistance for ASEAN to mitigate socio-economic impacts of the pandemic through joint efforts in boosting inclusive, resilient and sustainable recovery and in realizing the ASEAN Comprehensive Recovery Framework.

The UN also appreciated ASEAN’s contributions to maintaining regional and global peace and security and to strengthening empowerment of women.

On this occasion, the participants approved the ASEAN-UN Plan of Action for the period 2021-2025 which highlights the significance of technical assistance and multi-sectoral cooperation.

Officials of both organizations agreed that fruitful implementation of the Roadmap for Mutual Assistance for the realization of the ASEAN Community Vision 2025 and the UN 2030 Agenda would make practical contributions to sustainable growth, ensuring no one left behind, and improving capacity to deal with emerging challenges.  

Regarding regional and international situation, the participants underlined the importance of peace, stability, security in the region especially amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

They reiterated the goal of building the East Sea into the sea of peace, stability, security and safety, expressing their resolve to promote trust building and preventive diplomacy in the region on the basis of the UN Charter, international law, and the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.

From that perspective, the participants called for full and effective implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) as well as early conclusion of an effective Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC) in line with international law.

Addressing the event, Deputy PM Minh highly valued the role of the UN in coordinating actions and efforts to ensure peace and promote sustainable development.

ASEAN-UN relations have become a model of cooperation between the UN and other regional organizations, Minh said.

On behalf of the bloc, Minh proposed the UN support ASEAN’s initiatives on COVID-19 response and economic recovery, including the ASEAN fund for COVID-19 response.

On the East Sea issue, Minh emphasized the necessity for avoiding actions that may escalate tensions, non-militarization, settlement of disputes by peaceful measures in accordance with international law, including the 1982 UNCLOS, and commitment to fully and effectively implementing the DOC and continuing efforts to reach an efficient and effective COC that matches international law, including the 1982 UNCLOS./.

By Kim Anh