Asean FMs discuss Covid response, recovery efforts

The Asean Foreign Ministers’ Retreat kicked off in Phnom Penh on Thursday in a hybrid format to discuss issues ranging from the Covid-19 response to economic recovery and the 10-nation bloc’s relations with dialogue partners.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr Saleumxay Kommasith led the Lao delegation attending the meeting hosted by Cambodia.
The gathering is the first foreign ministers’ meeting under the Cambodian chairmanship of Asean and takes the theme “ASEAN A.C.T.: Addressing Challenges Together”.

The retreat was attended in person by the foreign ministers of Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Laos and Singapore, and online by the foreign ministers of Thailand, Vietnam and Brunei, according to a Xinhua report.
Asean leaders discussed the need to maintain Asean centrality to ensure peace and security in the region as well as issues relating to the Asean Community’s Post-2025 Vision, sustainable development, and Asean’s relations with external partners, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.  
The leaders also discussed ways to expedite economic recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic, and promote competitiveness, regional integration and long-term prosperity in the region. In addition, the meeting discussed the promotion of values, knowledge and identity in relation to Asean, as well as human resource development, capacity building for women, health issues, and the safeguarding of Asean society.  
Foreign ministers followed up on the outcomes of last October’s 38th and 39th Asean Summits and related summits, particularly the drafting of the Asean Community’s Post-2025 Vision, inclusive Asean recovery, and Asean community building efforts.
During the meeting, leaders discussed ways to broaden collaboration between Asean member countries and external partners, including preparations for a summit to mark the growing relationship between the Asean bloc and its dialogue partners.
They also exchanged views on regional and international issues of common concern, including implementation of the Five-Point Consensus agreed to by Asean leaders last year regarding the situation in Myanmar.
Mr Saleumxay expressed his appreciation of and congratulated Brunei on successfully being the Asean Chair in 2021.  
He also congratulated Cambodia as the Chair of Asean for 2022, reaffirming Laos’ full support for Cambodia in its role of Asean chairmanship and the priority programmes for 2022.
Mr Saleumxay reiterated that Laos will continue to support Cambodia in seeking ways and means to address the Myanmar issue through the Five-Point Consensus agreed to by Asean leaders.

By Times Reporters
 (Latest Update February 18, 2022)