The 36th ASEAN Summit themed "Cohesive and Responsive” took place in Hanoi on June 26 under the chair by Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc.

The 36th ASEAN Summit themed "Cohesive and Responsive ASEAN” took place in Hanoi on June 26 under the chair by Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc. (Photo: NDO/Tran Hai)
The online opening ceremony saw the participation of leaders of the 10 ASEAN member countries, Vietnam’s National Assembly (NA) Chairwoman and Chair of 41st General Assembly of ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA 41) Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan, NA Permanent Vice Chairwoman and head of the delegation to AIPA Tong Thi Phong, and Deputy PM, Foreign Minister and Chairman of the National 2020 Committee ASEAN Pham Binh Minh.
Ambassadors of the ASEAN member nations, and representatives from foreign diplomatic missions and international organisations in Hanoi also attended the event.
In his opening remarks, PM Phuc highlighted the theme of the Summit in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic which is hitting the region and the world.
He applauded the spirit of solidarity and coordination among the countries, and prompt actions they are taking in the fight against the disease.
The PM called for stronger cooperation among the ASEAN member nations to effectively cope with the pandemic, affirming that Vietnam will continue to closely work with the other ASEAN member nations in the combat.
He said ASEAN leaders will discuss measures to address the social and economic impact caused the COVID-19 crisis, post-pandemic recovery plans for the regional countries in the immediate time, and orientations to accomplish cooperation and integration goals of ASEAN in the year.
PM Phuc thanked leaders of the ASEAN member nations and the bloc’s partner countries for their coordination with and support for Vietnam in joint efforts to respond to the pandemic, especially strong commitments at the Special ASEAN Summit and the Special ASEAN+3 Summit on COVID-19 in April.
He expressed his hope that the 36th ASEAN Summit will be an opportunity for the regional countries to affirm their solidarity, strong political will and high determination to overcome all the challenges.
The Vietnamese leader said he looks forward to the adoption of a Vision Statement on ASEAN's cohesion and proactive adaptation at the summit.
Nestled in the northwest, Hoa Binh province stands as a strategic gateway, connecting the bustling capital of Hanoi with the Red River Delta, north central and northeastern regions. Its unique location also links it to Upper Laos, making it a pivotal area for trade and cultural exchange.
The 17th-tenure Hoa Binh provincial Party Committee recently convened its 20th meeting. The session was chaired by Nguyen Phi Long, alternate member of the Party Central Committee and Secretary of the provincial Party Committee; Bui Thi Minh, Standing Deputy Secretary of the provincial Party Committee and Chairwoman of the provincial People's Council; and Bui Duc Hinh, Deputy Secretary of the provincial Party Committee and Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee. Also in attendance were other members of the provincial Party Committee and leaders of several provincial departments and agencies.
A delegation of the Indian Embassy in Vietnam led by Ambasador Sandeep Arya paid a working trip to Hoa Binh province on April 1, aiming to explore cooperation opportunities. The delegation was received by Nguyen Phi Long, alternate member of the Party Central Committee and Secretary of the Hoa Binh provincial Party Committee, along with Nguyen Van Chuong, Vice Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee, and representatives from various departments and agencies.
A delegation from the Standing Board of the Hoa Binh provincial Party Committee led by Nguyen Phi Long, an alternate member of the Party Central Committee and Secretary of the provincial Party Committee, on March 20 inspected the progress of the Hoa Binh - Moc Chau expressway project in Mai Chau district.
The Steering Committee for the Development of Science, Technology, Innovation, and Digital Transformation of Hoa Binh province convened a meeting on March 11 to deploy key tasks.
Lac Son district is reorganising and streamlining its organisational apparatus and the contingent of officials, civil servants and public employees in line with Resolution 18 issued by the 12th Party Central Committee.