The 36th ASEAN Summit, which was held virtually for the first time, witnessed leaders of the member states reaffirming their commitment for the need to further bolster cooperation in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Although restricted by movement and space, where leaders of the grouping had not been able to meet physically in Vietnam this time - including to perform the ASEAN tradition of crossover handshake - the meetings and interactions had proceeded virtually and in high spirit.
Vietnam is the Chair for this year's Summits.
The one-day 36th ASEAN Summit, which carried the theme "Cohesive and Responsive ASEAN", saw leaders discussing a wide range of issues and cooperation concerning the region, with focus on the need for a comprehensive post-pandemic recovery plan for ASEAN.
Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, who led Malaysia's delegation to the virtual Summit from Putrajaya, had put forward a proposal for ASEAN to formulate a Regional Economic Recovery Plan for that purpose - underscoring the need for ASEAN to act swiftly and decisively in coordinating a regional level response to revitalising the economies.
"A well-coordinated response will ensure we emerge (from) this crisis stronger together, much like how we have weathered previous crises," he said during the Plenary Session of the 36th ASEAN Summit.
This was also the first time Muhyiddin attended the ASEAN Summit as Prime Minister after he was appointed last Feb 29.
In his intervention, he had also called on his counterparts to strengthen their resolve in fulfilling their collective responsibilities, adding that it is "now, more than ever" for the 53-year-old regional grouping to show to the world the "ASEAN Way" of doing things.
"It is now, more than ever, we need to show the world which is full of hate and divide, full of tears and suffering, that the ASEAN Way - which is far more than just leaders holding hands in photos - does work.
"Considering recent developments, we must show to the world that as a regional bloc, we can rise to the occasion and take leadership. All our trials and tribulations can eventually be surmounted so long as mutual trust, respect and transparency remain," he said.
He also highlighted the issues of the Rakhine State, the Palestinians and the South China Sea.
According to Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein, who was also part of the delegation, Muhyiddin's emphasis on reviving the regional economy was received positively and translated into discussions between the leaders on more concrete decisions such as a regional 'travel bubble' and intra-ASEAN tourism.
Muhyiddin had also participated in the ASEAN Leaders' Interface with Representatives of ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA), held on the sidelines of the Summit, where he had emphasised on the important role of parliamentarians in supporting ASEAN's efforts to combat COVID-19, and in promoting awareness on the ASEAN Community at the grassroots level.
As pointed out by Vietnam's Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc in his opening remarks at the 36th ASEAN Summit, while facing the present challenges, ASEAN must also be prepared to deal with the challenges ahead.
He said for the latter half of 2020, the challenge would be for governments of the ASEAN member states to lead ASEAN out of this period of adversity, adding that if succeeded, it will stand as a testament to the lasting values and vitality of ASEAN Resilient and Dynamic Community,
"I expect that the 36th ASEAN Summit will be an occasion for ASEAN member states to reassert our spirit of solidarity, our strong political will and commitment to rise above the adversities of the pandemic and keep forging ahead.
"On the one hand, we need to maintain good control over the COVID-19 pandemic. On the other, we should promptly repair its damage, and revitalise our economy and resume our economic development. This should be coupled with efforts to realise the set targets for ASEAN cooperation and integration of this year," Nguyen said.
The Summit this time also saw the ASEAN Leaders' Special Session on Women's Empowerment in the Digital Age - which was to affirm the leaders commitment to promote gender equality and women's empowerment and to enhance the role of women in building the ASEAN Community - being held for the first time.
The 36th summit was initially scheduled to be held on April 6 to 9 in Da Nang, Vietnam, but was rescheduled due to COVID-19.
-- BERNAMA
Bernama
Fri Jun 26 2020
Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, who led Malaysia's delegation to the virtual Summit from Putrajaya, had put forward a proposal for ASEAN to formulate a Regional Economic Recovery Plan.
Penganjuran Hari Perpaduan di sekolah bantu tingkat persefahaman antara kaum - Saraswathy
Penganjuran Hari Perpaduan di sekolah menjadi platform terbaik untuk meningkatkan semangat perpaduan dalam kalangan pelajar sekolah, kata Timbalan Menteri Perpaduan Negara K. Saraswathy.
MITI: RM58.91 juta diagihkan kepada PKS pada suku pertama bagi automasi dan pemodenan
Jumlah peruntukan bagi pinjaman mudah itu ialah RM150 juta untuk 30 syarikat dalam sektor pembuatan dan perkhidmatan berkaitan pembuatan.
2,214 stesen pengecas EV dipasang, MITI kekal sasaran 10,000 menjelang 2025
Ia sebahagian komitmen MITI untuk membangunkan infrastruktur pengecasan EV dan mencapai sasaran 10,000 titik pengecasan menjelang 2025.
Harimau Muda kurang 'kerja rumah' hadapi Piala Asia B-23 2024 - Penganalisis
Menerusi pemerhatian di laman media sosial, timbul cakap-cakap netizen yang lebih terarah kepada perjalanan kesemua pemain negara kendalian Juan Torres Garrido ke Qatar sekadar 'makan angin'.
UMNO aktifkan 'war room' bantu calon Kerajaan Perpaduan - Ahmad
Ahmad berkata UMNO juga akan melaksanakan kempen bagi membantu calon berkenaan dengan bersungguh-sungguh.
Pelepasan air terawat Fukushima digantung kerana terputus elektrik
Pelepasan air radioaktif terawat ke laut dari loji janakuasa nuklear Fukushima yang lumpuh digantung pada Rabu berikutan gangguan bekalan elektrik separa, kata pengendali loji itu.
Prabowo rasmi diisytihar Presiden Indonesia
Suruhanjaya Pilihan Raya Umum (KPU) secara rasmi akan mengisytiharkan Prabowo Subianto sebagai Presiden Indonesia dipilih, dalam satu majlis pada Rabu, seperti yang dijadualkan.
Jerman-UNRWA mungkin bekerjasama semula
Kerajaan Jerman merancang untuk menjalinkan kerjasama dengan agensi Pertubuhan Bangsa-Bangsa Bersatu bagi pelarian Palestin (UNRWA). Ia susulan daripada kontroversi yang mendakwa anggota petugas UNRWA terlibat dalam serangan di Gaza yang berlaku pada 7 Oktober tahun lalu.
Ini panggilan daripada Allah SWT - Dr Sharifah Mazlina
Ketua Misi Ekspedisi Wanita Berkumpulan ke Antartika, Dr Sharifah Mazlina Syed Abdul Kadir yang merupakan salah seorang peserta dari Malaysia bagi misi Break The Siege of Gaza Freedom Flotilla menyifatkan penglibatannya dalam misi berkenaan sebagai satu panggilan yang ditentukan Allah.
Tujuh ditahan polis dalam serbuan 'keganasan' Australia
Polis Australia menahan tujuh individu yang menimbulkan risiko dan ancaman kepada orang ramai selepas melakukan serbuan antikeganasan membabitkan lebih 400 pegawainya, pada Rabu.
PM Vietnam cadang ASEAN jadi model transformasi digital global
Perdana Menteri Vietnam mencadangkan orientasi kejayaan untuk menjadikan ASEAN sebagai model dalam transformasi digital di peringkat global.
Malaysia muncul destinasi utama pengembangan perniagaan di ASEAN - Kajian UOB
Malaysia telah muncul sebagai negara paling penting dalam ASEAN untuk diceburi perniagaan, seperti yang ditunjukkan oleh Kajian Tinjauan Perniagaan UOB 2024 (PKS & Perusahaan Besar).
Malaysia perlu masa untuk teliti cadangan visa bersama enam negara ASEAN
Malaysia memerlukan lebih masa untuk meneliti cadangan Thailand mengenai program visa bersama dengan enam negara ASEAN lain.
Konflik Myanmar: ASEAN tegas kepentingan laksana Konsensus Lima Perkara
ASEAN tegaskan semula komitmen bantu Myanmar cari penyelesaian dengan mewujudkan persekitaran kondusif melalu pelaksanaan Konsensus Lima Perkara.
Ringgit ditutup rendah berbanding dolar AS
Pada 6 petang, ringgit merosot kepada 4.7785/7815 berbanding dolar AS daripada 4.7680/7730 semasa ditutup pada Jumaat.
Malaysia sedia jadi hab pusat untuk Pejabat Keluarga di ASEAN
ASEAN semakin mendapat fokus daripada firma pejabat keluarga berikutan kestabilan ekonomi dan pertumbuhan di rantau ini.
LRT Pulau Pinang: Mobiliti, pemangkin pelancongan dan tidak ancam perkhidmatan feri
Pelaksanaan projek LRT Laluan Mutiara Pulau Pinang, dilihat sebagai pengangkutan alternatif penduduk negeri ini bagi mengatasi masalah trafik.
Jenama “Kuasa Tenaga Boleh Diperbaharui Asia” bakal lonjak Sarawak ke persada global - Abang Jo
Abang Johari Tun Openg berkata, Sarawak berpotensi menjadi hab inisiatif peralihan kepada penggunaan tenaga tanpa karbon ketika dunia bergerak ke arah -net-zero- menjelang 2050.
ASEAN: Saifuddin gesa Malaysia lebih proaktif tangani isu Myanmar
Usaha proaktif akan membolehkan Malaysia membentuk persekitaran yang aman dan inklusif dalam rantau ASEAN.
Jadikan ASEAN platform pembelian ubat secara pukal - Dr Noor Hisham
Usaha berterusan perlu dilaksanakan kerajaan untuk menjadikan ASEAN sebagai platform pembelian ubat-ubatan dan peralatan kesihatan menerusi perolehan secara pukal.