Cambodia becomes ASEAN Chair for 2022 as high-level summits end

The Kingdom of Cambodia took on its position as ASEAN Chair for 2022 on Thursday as the 38th and 39th ASEAN Summits and related meetings ended.

Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính attended the closing ceremony from Hà Nội via videoconference, and leaders of other ASEAN members from their respective countries.

Speaking at the event on their term as ASEAN Chair for 2021, Brunei's Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah said despite the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, the bloc has continued growing.

With the 2021 theme "We Care, We Prepare, We Prosper", ASEAN has gained achievements in community building, responding to COVID-19, promoting a comprehensive recovery, as well as increasing capability in responding to medical emergencies and ensuring social security, he said.

He asked member countries to continue building the ASEAN community on the foundation of promoting multilateralism and developing strong regional cooperation.

As his country takes over the bloc's chairmanship, Prime Minister of Cambodia Hun Sen announced "ASEAN A.C.T.: Addressing Challenges Together" as ASEAN's theme next year, saying Cambodia is committed to leading ASEAN for harmony, peace, and prosperity in the whole region.

To do that, Cambodia will join ASEAN countries in implementing key priorities in 2022, which include ensuring solidarity and promoting ASEAN's central role in the region, implementing all initiatives and measures on economic cooperation that have been agreed upon to liberalise trade between member countries, he said.

Cambodia will also contribute to promoting economic recovery in the region, narrowing the development gap and promoting regional connectivity, he added. It will also facilitate human resource development, social security, promoting the participation of women and youth in creating and maintaining peace and development, as well as promoting people-to-people exchanges, enhancing ASEAN spirit and identity, and promoting efforts to build an ASEAN vision after 2025.

Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính attends the closing ceremony of the 38th and 39th ASEAN Summits and related summits from Hà Nội on Thursday. Photo: Dương Giang