Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh joined other ASEAN leaders on October 28 at the closing ceremony of the 38th and 39th ASEAN Summits and Related Summits. (Photo: Tuan Anh)

 In his closing remarks, the Sultan of Brunei Darussalam – Chair of ASEAN 2021, said despite difficulties caused by COVID-19, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has continued to grow strongly.

 Carrying forward joint efforts in the spirit of “We Care, We Prepare, We Prosper”, the ten-member grouping has recorded various achievements in accelerating the building of the ASEAN Community, responding to the pandemic and boosting comprehensive recovery, improving its capacity for coping with medical emergencies, taking care of social welfare and spiritual life of residents, and adopting a master plan optimising outcomes of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, he said.

 The Sultan called for promoting efforts in the ASEAN Community building, on the basis of pushing ahead with multilateralism, and building a strong regional architecture.

At the ceremony, Brunei handed over the ASEAN Chairmanship to Cambodia.

The Prime Minister of Cambodia announced the theme of ASEAN Year 2022: “ASEAN A.C.T.: Addressing Challenges Together” for harmony, peace, and prosperity in the whole region. (Photo: Tuan Anh)

 The Prime Minister of Cambodia announced the theme of ASEAN Year 2022: “ASEAN A.C.T.: Addressing Challenges Together” for harmony, peace, and prosperity in the whole region.

 Accordingly, Cambodia and other ASEAN member countries will implement major priorities in 2022, including ensuring intra-bloc solidarity and upholding ASEAN’s centrality; effectively implementing all initiatives and measures on economic cooperation as agreed, along with trade liberalisation deals, contributing to boosting economic recovery, narrowing development gaps, enhancing regional connectivity, and developing human resources and social welfare; promoting women’s and youths’ participation in constructing and maintaining peace and development; enhancing people-to-people exchanges, raising the bloc’s spirit and identity, and forging efforts to build a post-2025 ASEAN vision. /.