Socialist Republic of Vietnam

Hanoi, 26 July 2001

Your Royal Highnesses,
Distinguished Colleagues,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

1. At the outset, I would like, on behalf of the Government and people of Viet Nam, to welcome you all to the Post Ministerial Conference (PMC). We would also like to extend our warmest welcome to Mr. Mark Malloch Brown, Administrator of UNDP to this Conference as the guest of the Government of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam. We, the country of Viet Nam and I myself, have the honor to host the first PMC of the new Millennium, which is taking place amid both new opportunities and challenges. I am firmly convinced that with your active participation, valuable support and cooperation, our Conference will be crowned with great success, thus contributing to the further consolidation and promotion of our dialogue and mutually beneficial cooperation for the sake of peace, stability and development in the region and the world at large.

2. In the context of globalization and the rapid development of the scientific and technological revolution and the knowledge-based economy, the world has become smaller, more inter-connected and inter-dependant. Accordingly, the development of each and every nation and region is linked to that of other nations and regions. And, challenges facing each nation and region also means challenges to the world community, that require intensified cooperation, mutual support on the basis of mutual understanding, trust and respect to overcome the challenges and to share opportunities.

3. The Post Ministerial Conference is an important opportunity for us to promote the cooperation and dialogue between ASEAN and its Dialogue Partners as well as between ASEAN and each Dialogue Partner. Being an outward-looking Association, we always attach great importance to developing relations with thw outside world, particularly the Dialogue Partners. It is our hope that the annual PMC will further contribute to our comon efforts alimed at promoting and deepening the fine relations between the two sides, which have been tested during the past two decades.

Distinguished Colleagues,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

4. Yesterday at the ASEAN Regional Forum, we had useful and candid discussions on important issues pertaining to peace and stability in the region and the world at large. And today at this Conference, we will continue our discussions on equally important issues concerning the regional and international political, security, financial, economic and trade situation, especially the adverse impacts posed by the world economic slowdown on the region. We will also exchange views on ASEAN