Foreign Minister attended 3 ASEAN Ministerial Meetings as part of preparations for the upcoming 36th ASEAN Summit and stressed the importance of ASEAN’s collective efforts in addressing new challenges, especially public health emergencies, promotion of cooperation in border management, cybersecurity, and sustainable development. The Meetings approved the Terms of Reference (TOR) of the COVID-19 ASEAN Response Fund, reiterated concerted efforts in multilateral cooperation to address COVID-19 pandemic, development of ASEAN’s comprehensive recovery plan, and the need to maintain unity and strengthen ASEAN centrality to promote peace and stability, which are the prerequisites for economic recovery efforts.

 

On 24 June 2020, H.E. Mr. Don Pramudwinai, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand, attended the Informal Meeting of ASEAN Foreign Ministers, the 21st ASEAN Political-Security Community (APSC) Council Meeting, and the 26th ASEAN Coordinating Council (ACC) Meeting via videoconference. The Meetings were chaired by H.E. Mr. Pham Binh Minh, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam, as the Chair of ASEAN for 2020 and was attended by all ASEAN Foreign Ministers and the Secretary-General of ASEAN.

 

The Informal Meeting of ASEAN Foreign Ministers exchanged views on the changing global landscape and uncertainties brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, which required concerted efforts of all countries in multilateral cooperation. The Meeting shared the view that the COVID-19 pandemic was not only a public health crisis but had far-reaching socio-economic impact. Therefore, ASEAN must maintain its unity and strengthen its centrality in conducting its relation with various partners in order to promote peace and stability in the region, which are the prerequisites for economic recovery efforts. In addition, the ASEAN Foreign Ministers also discussed regional situations such as the South China Sea, developments in Rakhine State and irregular migration in the Indian Ocean. 

 

The 21st APSC Council Meeting discussed the important developments in the implementation of the APSC Blueprint 2025 in various areas of cooperation, which has contributed to ASEAN’s efforts in tackling the COVID-19 pandemic, including in the defence sector through the ASEAN Centre of Military Medicine. On this occasion, the Foreign Minister stressed the need for ASEAN cooperation in the APSC pillar to be able to address emerging security challenges, particularly public health emergencies, as well as enhanced cooperation in border management and cybersecurity. 

 

The 26th ASEAN Coordinating Council (ACC) Meeting discussed the preparations for the 36th ASEAN Summit and followed up on the decisions of the Special ASEAN Summit and ASEAN Plus Three Summit on Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) on 14 April 2020.  Key outcomes of the 26th ACC Meeting include the approval of the Terms of Reference of the COVID-19 ASEAN Response Fund and support for the operationalisation of the Fund as well as the development of ASEAN’s comprehensive recovery plan. In addition, the Meeting also reaffirmed ASEAN’s cooperation in consolidating ASEAN Community-building efforts, including in advancing sustainable development.  As the ASEAN Coordinator on Sustainable Development Cooperation, Thailand updated the Meeting on the outcome of the 4th High-Level Brainstorming Dialogue on Enhancing Complementarities between the ASEAN Community Vision 2025 and the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development held via videoconference on 4 June 2020 as well as the adjusted work plan of the ASEAN Centre on Sustainable Development Studies and Dialogue in line with ASEAN’s post-COVID-19 priorities.