The focus of the conference was to review the situation and direction of ARF cooperation, discuss international and regional issues of mutual concern, and prepare for the 30th ARF Ministerial Meeting (July 2023). Ambassador Vu Ho, Acting Head of ASEAN SOM Vietnam, led the Vietnamese delegation to attend the conference.

The countries acknowledged that ARF cooperation has made positive progress in recent times, especially in implementing activities for the 2022-2023 mid-term, although the region is still affected by Covid-19; and acknowledged efforts in implementing the Hanoi Action Plan II (2020-2025). On that basis, the countries discussed and agreed on many measures to accelerate the implementation of the remaining action lines in the Hanoi Action Plan II as well as consider proposals for activities for the 2023-2024 mid-term.  

Ambassador Vu Ho spoke at the Conference.

Speaking at the Conference, Ambassador Vu Ho highlighted Vietnam's contributions to the ARF cooperation process in recent times as well as discussed and agreed on activities that Vietnam will co-chair in the 2023-2024 mid-term. He emphasized that after 30 years of formation and development, the participating parties need to conduct a comprehensive review of the ARF cooperation process, thereby discussing and proposing necessary orientations and measures to ensure that the Forum can further promote its role in promoting consultation, dialogue, and building trust for peace, stability and common development in the region.

Regarding international and regional issues, Acting SOM Chief Vu Ho shared concerns about regional hotspots as well as emerging non-traditional security challenges such as cyber security, climate change, water security, marine environmental pollution, etc.

Accordingly, the Acting SOM Chief suggested that ARF participants need to harmoniously handle differences to promote a comprehensive and holistic approach to effectively respond to the above challenges. Regarding the East Sea, the Ambassador shared concerns about the complicated developments that are continuing in this sea area, promoted ASEAN's principled stance and suggested that partners operating in the East Sea should respect these principles, especially the rule of international law and the 1982 UNCLOS, and join hands to build the East Sea into a sea of ​​peace, stability, cooperation and development.

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