Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh attends the opening ceremony of the 43rd ASEAN Summit.

According to VNA, the 43rd ASEAN Summit and related summits with the theme “ASEAN at the heart of growth” officially opened on the morning of September 5 at the Jakarta Convention Center under the chairmanship of host country President Joko Widodo.

This series of conferences attracted the participation of leaders of member countries, Timor Leste as an observer, 9 dialogue partner countries, which are also members of the East Asia Summit (EAS - including Korea, Japan, India, China, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Russia, the United States), 2 guest countries, Bangladesh and the Cook Islands, and 9 international organizations.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and heads of ASEAN delegations attend the opening ceremony. Photo: VNA

The Vietnamese delegation led by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh attended the events.

Taking place from September 5-7 with 12 high-level meetings, the conference focused on discussing four main focuses, including establishing the foundation for ASEAN's Long-term Vision, helping ASEAN become more resilient to respond to the challenges of the times, making ASEAN a center of economic growth and turning the Indo- Pacific into a region of peace and prosperity.

One of the most important documents expected to be considered and adopted by ASEAN leaders at this summit is the Declaration of ASEAN Concord IV. This is an initiative of the 2023 ASEAN Chair Indonesia and will serve as the foundation for the ASEAN Community Vision 2045, helping to strengthen ASEAN to address various challenges in the future.

Indonesian President Joko Wiodo (center) and his wife welcome Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh. Photo: VNA

The conference will also discuss and agree on a number of contents including the Rules to support the decision-making process at ASEAN summits, especially in crisis situations, the need to strengthen diplomatic activities in Jakarta - the headquarters of the ASEAN Secretariat (ASEC), strengthen the role of the ASEAN Secretary-General and increase funding contributions.

On the economic front, the conference will focus on discussing many issues related to food security, energy security, healthcare, financial stability, supply chains, as well as promoting new growth drivers, such as digital transformation, green economy, and blue ocean economy.

Within the framework of the conference, host Indonesia also organized the ASEAN - Indo-Pacific Forum (AIPF), focusing on three topical topics: green infrastructure and supply chain resilience; digital transformation and creative economy; innovative and sustainable finance.

On international and regional issues, the leaders will discuss the ongoing civil unrest in Myanmar, the Korean Peninsula, the conflict in Ukraine and the situation in the South China Sea.

It is expected that about 50 documents will be acknowledged and approved by ASEAN leaders, relating to many issues and contents across all three pillars of politics - security, economy, culture - society.

Laodong.vn