As the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) marks its 25^th founding anniversary, three priorities should be focused on for this high-level policy dialogue to better meet the development requirements of country members and contribute substantially to global inclusive and sustainable development.

These include ensuring a peaceful and stable global environment based on dialogue and trust; playing a pioneering role with greater efforts in facilitating inclusive and sustainable development; and forming a solid foundation for long-term and sustainable economic cooperation with mutual benefits between Asia and Europe.

Overview of the event. Photos: Baoquocte

“For ASEM to continue being a successful model, member countries must show greater determination with drastic action and choose the right path,” Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son said while chairing the ASEM dialogue on June 22, which combined face-to-face and virtual formats from Hanoi.

According to Son, the world is going through a comprehensive and substantial transformation thanks to the rapid advancement of science-technology, a shift in geo-economic and political powers, serious Covid-19 impacts, traditional and non-traditional security challenges.

“International cooperation is facing growing pressure from protectionism, unilateralism, and acts aiming at undermining international law,” Son continued.

Vietnam’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son (second from left) and his counterparts of Singapore, the UK, and South Korea

In this regard, Asia-Europe cooperation and partnership have become more significant than ever and stayed central to the world’s stability and prosperity, Son stressed.

The high-level policy dialogue was Vietnam’s initiative in commemoration of ASEM’s 25^th anniversary [1996-2021] and one of the most important events of ASEM this year, attracting the participation of nearly 200 representatives from governments, businesses, and social organizations of 53 ASEM’s member countries.

British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab, Singaporean Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan, and South Korean Minister of Foreign Affairs Chung Eui-yong attended the event in person in Hanoi.

At the dialogue, under the theme “ASEM at 25: Strengthening Asia-Europe Partnership in a transforming world”, participants discussed a new vision for the Asia-Europe partnership, including new trends that could impact the relationship in the upcoming decade; the role of Asia-Europe in solving global challenges and strengthening multilateral cooperation; the vision for cooperation in the coming time.

Member countries also highly regarded achievements of ASEM in the past 25 years, while affirming the significance and huge potential of the Asia-Europe partnership in a world of growing uncertainties.

In this regard, delegates agreed that ASEM would need a new vision for better contribution to peace, security, stability, and sustainable development of the two continents and the world.