Việt Nam proposes ASEAN strengthen connectivity

VIENTIANE — Vietnamese Minister of Foreign Affairs Bùi Thanh Sơn suggested the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) enhance digital, infrastructure, institution and people-to-people connectivity, while addressing the ASEAN Foreign Ministers (AMM)' Retreat that opened in Luang Prabang city, Laos, on Monday. On this occasion, the minister invited countries to attend an ASEAN forum on rapid and sustainable development with the people taken as the centre to be hosted by Việt Nam. The forum, also initiated by Việt Nam, aims to create a platform for officials, experts, and scholars to exchange views and make policy recommendations regarding ASEAN development, connectivity, and cooperation. ASEAN needs to maintain a balanced and objective approach, and raise its position and voice on issues relating to peace, security, stability and sustainable development in the region and beyond, he continued. The participating ministers pledged to back and coordinate during the implementation of ASEAN priorities with the two central elements of “self-reliance” and “connectivity”.