On Wednesday, hundreds of senior officials from the 10 ASEAN member countries gathered in Da Nang to attend the ASEAN Senior Officials’ Meeting (SOM).

Participants in a group photo

The ASEAN regional event was chaired by Deputy Minister of the Vietnamese Foreign Affairs Nguyen Quoc Dung cum Head of SOM Viet Nam.

During the event, the participants discussed outcomes gained at the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Retreat in Nha Trang in January, as well as the initial preparation for the 36^th ASEAN Summit and other relevant events to take place in Da Nang on 8-9 April.

They also agreed with the working agenda of the ASEAN-New Zealand Commemorative Summit which is slated for 9 April immediately after the 36^th ASEAN Summit.

Also, they presented their ideas about the ways to implement initiatives and priorities proposed by Viet Nam during 2020 under the theme ‘Cohesive and Responsive’.

Also at the event, the delegates voiced their support for the initiatives on holding mid-term review of the implementation of ASEAN Community building plans by 2025, and evaluation of the implementation of the ASEAN Charter.

They also will join efforts to promote sub-regional cooperation, especially in the Greater Mekong Subregion, enhance women’s role in building the ASEAN Community, and promote the image of ASEAN.

In his remarks at the event, Deputy Minister Dung affirmed Viet Nam would make every effort to fulfill tasks of the Chair of ASEAN in 2020. The focus would be on accelerating the building of the ASEAN Community, expanding ASEAN’s external relations, and reforming ASEAN working methods.

Amid growing concerns over the spread of the coronavirus, known as COVID-19, the Vietnamese diplomat reaffirmed that Viet Nam remains a safe travel destination.

“Being a host of ASEAN events this year, Viet Nam has been taking a wide range of measures to ensure safety of all delegates amid fears over the new coronavirus” Mr Dung emphasised.

Following the SOM, the special ASEAN SOM, the 9^th meeting of the ASEAN Coordinating Council Working Group (ACCWG), and the Joint Consultative Meeting (JCM) are scheduled to take place in Da Nang on 5-6 March.

By TTXVN - Translated by MAI DUNG