The first plenary meeting of the 32nd ASEAN Summit takes place on the evening of April 27, 2018

Sharing the ASEAN leaders’ view, PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc appreciated the theme and priorities of ASEAN 2018 proposed by Chair Singapore, which aims to build a resilient and innovative ASEAN.

He affirmed that ASEAN’s collective resilient capacity should be fostered and brought into play in all three pillars, with maintaining the bloc’s solidarity, unity and central role having significant meaning. He added that innovation will be the lever to enhance ASEAN’s Resilience. The Vietnamese PM took the occasion to announce that Vietnam has selected its three top cities – Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang – to join the ASEAN Smart Cities Network initiative. He invited ASEAN leaders to attend the World Economic Forum on ASEAN (WEF-ASEAN) slated to be held in Vietnam in September this year.

Earlier, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc met Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte in Singapore on the sidelines of the ASEAN Summit.

The two leaders expressed their delight at fruitful strategic partnership between Vietnam and the Philippines as reflected through frequent meetings and exchanges, especially in security and defence, and improved economic-trade ties. Bilateral trade surpassed 4 billion USD in 2017, an annual increase of 25 percent, with rice trade bringing about practical mutual benefits. Phuc suggested both sides continue their exchange of high-ranking delegations, and actively implement cooperation mechanisms, particularly in oil spill response, search & rescue at sea, sustainable marine management, fisheries and anti-terrorism.