Vietnam’s ASEAN 2020 Chairmanship: Recommending the priorities

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Vietnam will assume the ASEAN’s 2020 Chairmanship in the midst of the uncertain and changing regional dynamics, the U.S.-China strategic competition, the territorial and maritime disputes in the South China Sea, the internal and external issues that may distort ASEAN cohesiveness and undermine ASEAN centrality, and growing non-tradition security concerns.

Against this background, it is imperative that Vietnam identify clear priorities for its 2020 Chairmanship at an early date. Such priorities would enhance ASEAN’s and Vietnam’s role in the regional and global environment, support regional peace and prosperity, and promote Vietnam’s security and development.

Co-hosted by the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam (DAV) and the Daniel K.Inouye Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies (DKI APCSS), this workshop provided an interagency platform for discussions and recommendations on the priorities that Vietnam would pursue in its role as the ASEAN Chair in 2020.

The intended outcomes were to identify the priorities and recommend possible deliverables for Vietnam’s Chairmanship of ASEAN in 2020; develop a clear assessment of the role and ability of ASEAN in dealing with regional and global security issues; and develop a clear assessment of the role and ability of Vietnam in ASEAN and the larger regional security environment.

In order to achieve those outcomes, the workshop has featured plenary presentations assessing the emerging security environment and the roles and abilities of ASEAN and Vietnam in dealing with global and regional security issues, followed by discussions in the plenary and smaller groups.

Major themes were discussed include: how to enhance ASEAN’s centrality and unity in the changing international context; what Vietnam should focus on as the ASEAN Chair in 2020; and what assistance Vietnam can expect from the United States and other like-minded partners.

The event saw the participation of over 40 participants, who are Head of sections and/or DDG level from Vietnam’s ministries and agencies, along with domestic and foreign scholars and researchers.