ASEAN begins series of virtual summits with COVID-19, economic recovery high on agenda

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN: Member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) on Tuesday began their 38th and 39th summits under the chairmanship of Brunei via virtual conference, with battling the COVID-19 pandemic and promoting economic recovery high on their agenda.

The ASEAN summits, with the theme "We Care, We Prepare, We Prosper," is expected to discuss a number of issues including further strengthening the resilience of the ASEAN Community towards regional recovery from the pandemic.

They will also be looking into enhancing the preparedness of ASEAN in addressing common challenges; seizing new opportunities in pursuit of shared prosperity; and maintaining cooperation towards achieving the region's long-term goals, Xinhua news agency reported.

Scheduled from Tuesday to Thursday, the 38th and 39th ASEAN Summits and related summits will also be joined by leaders from ASEAN's dialogue partners, including China, Japan, South Korea, India, United States, Australia and Russia, among others.

Established in 1967, ASEAN groups Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. Brunei is the ASEAN chair for 2021.

-- BERNAMA