Delegates pose for a group photo. (Photo: Xuan Khu)
Addressing the ceremony, Singaporean Consul General to HCM City Leow Siu Lin said 51 years ago on August 8, 1967, ASEAN leaders laid a foundation for the establishment of a peaceful and prosperous community of Southeast Asian nations.
She also highlighted ASEAN’s accomplishments over the years, as well as Singapore’s initiatives as Chair of ASEAN in 2018.
The event not only reviews achievements that ASEAN has made over the past more than five decades but also looks toward the next period in a path to peace, stability, growth and dynamism in the region, she said.
Intra-bloc cooperation and solidarity has significantly contributed to maintaining peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world, she stressed.
As rotating Chair of ASEAN, Singapore focuses on the themes of “Resilience” and “Innovation” to shape a united ASEAN which is able to effectively address geo-political instabilities and brace for opportunities and challenges in the digital revolution, including establishing the network of smart cities, including Hanoi, Da Nang and HCM City, toward the common goal of sustainable urban development to improve urban environment and business opportunities for nearly 630 million people in the bloc, she said.
The ASEAN Consuls-General also contributed towards funding scholarships for schoolchildren in Go Vap District, HCM City.
Phan Thi Hong Xuan, Chairwoman of the city’s Vietnam – Southeast Asia Friendship Association, said the past achievements proved that ASEAN has become important and indispensable to peace, stability and development in Southeast Asia, a driving force for dialogue, cooperation and connectivity among member states as well as comprehensive development in East Asia and Asia-Pacific.
Vietnam and other member nations will continue working together to implement effectively the ASEAN Community Vision to 2025 in the spirit of solidarity, dynamism, and creativity and with the extensive involvement and active contributions of people from all social strata.
She said the get-together is one of the people-to-people diplomatic activities, contributing to tightening solidarity in the grouping for the sake of regional peace and prosperity.
Representatives from the ASEAN countries’ Consulate Generals in HCM City present 30 scholarships to local disadvantaged students. (Photo: VOH)
On the occasion, the city’s Vietnam – Southeast Asia Friendship Association has launched its chapter of Faculty of Urban Studies under HCM City’s University of Social Sciences and Humanities.
Representatives from the ASEAN countries’ Consulate Generals in HCM City presented 30 scholarships to local poor students with outstanding academic performance.
ASEAN has 10 members: Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam./.
VNF
