JAKARTA, March 13 (Bernama) – ASEAN Secretary-General Dr. Kao Kim Hourn has commended Vietnam’s three decades of contributions to the regional bloc, describing the milestone as a testament to the country’s dedication to ASEAN’s vision of unity and prosperity.
Speaking at the ASEAN headquarters to mark Vietnam’s 30th anniversary in the bloc, Dr. Kao highlighted the nation’s transformative role since joining in 1995, calling it a key step towards a more unified Southeast Asia.
“Vietnam’s accession to ASEAN paved the way for Laos and Myanmar to join in 1997, followed by Cambodia in 1999, thus realizing the ASEAN-10 vision,” he said in his opening remarks.
The event was also marked by the first-ever visit of Vietnam’s Communist Party General-Secretary, To Lam, to the ASEAN Secretariat—an occasion Dr. Kao described as a significant gesture of Vietnam’s commitment to regional cooperation.
“Under his leadership, Vietnam is implementing administrative reforms to enhance state efficiency, modernize its economy, and expand its global engagements while deepening collaboration within ASEAN and beyond,” he added.
Dr. Kao further underscored Vietnam’s role in bridging development gaps within ASEAN, citing initiatives such as the 2001 Hanoi Declaration on reducing regional disparities and the country’s leadership during its ASEAN chairmanships in 1998, 2010, and 2020.
“As ASEAN moves towards adopting the ASEAN Community Vision 2045 this year, Vietnam’s leadership and active participation remain crucial in shaping our collective future,” he said.
-Agency
