37th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits Open in Ha Noi

The Opening Ceremony of the 37^th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits was held virtually and chaired by H.E Mr. Nguyen Xuan Phuc, Prime Minister of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam on November 12^th, 2020 in Ha Noi. The ceremony was attended by H.E Mr. Nguyen Phu Trong, General Secretary of the Communist Party of Viet Nam, President of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam, H.E Madam Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan, Chairwoman of the National Assembly of Viet Nam and Chair of the 41st General Assembly of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA 41), leaders of the National ASEAN 2020 Committee, State Agencies and People’s Organizations, foreign Ambassadors and Chief Representatives of international organizations in Viet Nam. Leaders of ASEAN Member States, ASEAN Secretary General H.E Mr. Lim Jock Hoi and international distinguished delegates attended the event virtually from the bridgeheads in their own countries

The 37^th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits are a series of ASEAN year-end events taking place from November 12^th to 15^th, 2020 under Viet Nam’s chair within the Viet Nam’s ASEAN 2020 Chairmanship. The Summits provide an opportunity for ASEAN to comprehensively review their achievements in inter-ASEAN cooperation as well as cooperation with their Partners to map out priorities for the coming years. 

In his welcome remarks, H.E Mr. Nguyen Phu Trong regarded Viet Nam's ASEAN membership over the past 25 years as the cornerstone for its effective foreign policy implementation and international integration. ASEAN has become a common home, and the ASEAN Community is critical to upholding the Southeast Asian identity.

Delivering the opening speech, H.E Mr. Nguyen Xuan Phuc said the activities in 2020 had been implemented according to the theme “ASEAN-Cohesive and Responsive” against the international and regional volatile context and challenges presented by global geostrategic displacement as well as impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic. The 37^th ASEAN Summit once again reaffirms ASEAN’s solidarity, strong political willpower and determination to rise above its challenges. 

Acting as the Head of ASEAN 2020 Sub-Committee on Communications and Culture, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has coordinated with relevant agencies in the active implementation of cultural, information and communications activities for the 37^th ASEAN Summit. 

            The ASEAN 2020 Sub-Committee on Communications and Culture coordinated with Ha Noi People’s Committee in implementing works of decoration and visual communications at the International Conference Center area, in the streets of Hoan Kiem and Ba Dinh districts and some other major streets in Ha Noi etc.

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, in its efforts to promote the Viet Nam’s 2020 ASEAN Chairmanship and the 37^th ASEAN Summit, had ASEAN 2020 posters printed and sent to provinces and cities to further strengthen visual communications.

Furthermore, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism organized a marvelous arts performance under the theme “ASEAN – A happy home” which was performed by artists from the Viet Nam National Music, Song and Dance Theatre and other arts troupes at the opening ceremony of the 37^th ASEAN Summit, to introduce Vietnamese cultural values to ASEAN and international audience. The artists also solemnly performed the ASEAN Anthem at the event.  

As planned, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism will host an arts performance to congratulate the success of Viet Nam’s 2020 ASEAN Chairmanship at the ASEAN chairmanship hand-over and closing ceremony to be taking place on November 15^th, 2020. 

Prior to the Summits, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism hosted a series of cultural and sports events to congratulate the Viet Nam’s 2020 ASEAN Chairmanship, namely 2020 ASEAN Film Week, ASEAN Traditional Costume Exhibition, 3^rd ASEAN Graphic Arts Competition and Exhibition, VPBank Marathon ASEAN 2020 etc. 

The cultural and communications activities have actively contributed to promoting the image of Viet Nam and making the Viet Nam’s 2020 ASEAN Chairmanship a success as well as further promoting andenriching ASEAN Identity./.