Under the theme “Cohesive and responsive”, Vietnam will focus on five priorities during its chairmanship year, including strengthening ASEAN solidarity and unity, promoting regional connectivity and adaptability to the Fourth Industrial Revolution, fostering awareness of the ASEAN community and identity, stepping up partnerships for peace and sustainable development, and improving the adaptability and operational efficiency of the ASEAN apparatus.

Vietnam began to prepare for ASEAN Chairmanship 2020 long ago, said Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Quoc Dung, who is also Secretary General of the National ASEAN 2020 Committee: “The workload is huge so we need to prepare for it early and carefully. In late 2018, the National ASEAN 2020 Committee was established. We identified themes, priorities, and activities, penned detailed communications plans, and made careful protocol, health care, and logistics preparations to ensure that our ASEAN Chairmanship Year 2020 will be a great success.”

This year, Vietnam will host more than 300 meetings and activities at different levels, including the ASEAN Summits in April and November. It will chair the 41st General Assembly of ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA 41) in August, along with 20 ministerial-level meetings.

Vietnam determined to make ASEAN Chairmanship Year 2020 a success

2020 is a special year for ASEAN and Vietnam. The ASEAN Community will celebrate its 5^th founding anniversary, review the Community’s development, and finalize action plans between ASEAN and its partners. Vietnam is tasked to maintain the growth trend of ASEAN, promote its achievements, strengthen the ASEAN Community, and raise its international status. Deputy Foreign Minister Dung said: "Vietnam has grown rapidly over the last 10 years. We have a lot of experience in hosting international events. Vietnam’s prestige has increased, winning the trust and support from countries around the world."