An online meeting of the ASEAN Committee in Geneva (ACG) was organised by the Permanent Mission of Vietnam to the United Nations, World Trade Organisation (WTO), and other international organisations on December 14, according to the Vietnam News Agency.
This was the last meeting of the committee during Vietnam’s chairmanship in 2020.
Ambassador Le Thi Tuyet Mai, Head of the Vietnamese mission, briefed other ambassadors and delegation heads of ASEAN member countries on the outcomes of the 37th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits held in November as well as the achievements posted in 2020 while Vietnam was ASEAN Chair.
She highlighted Vietnam’s efforts and initiatives during the year, most notably its proposal to designate December 27 - the birthday of scientist Louis Pasteur - as International Day of Epidemic Preparedness.
Other delegates congratulated Vietnam on its outstanding fulfilment of the ASEAN Chairmanship in 2020 given the range of difficulties and challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
They exchanged views on ASEAN’s role in activities of the UN and other international organisations in Geneva.
Mai said ASEAN ambassadors and delegation heads and officials in Geneva have made all-out efforts to overcome the hurdles, especially COVID-19, and carried out consultations at different levels, thus contributing to promoting ASEAN’s common voice.
At the end of the meeting, Mai handed over the ACG Chairmanship to Brunei Ambassador Dk Mazlizah Pg Hj Mahalee./.
BTA