(Dan Tri) – The 2020 ASEAN People’s Forum hosted by Vietnam will aim at one of the important goals of strengthening international cooperation in Covid-19 prevention and post-pandemic economic recovery.

ASEAN People’s Forum 2020 (APF 2020) opened on the morning of November 5 (Photo: Tuan Viet)

The ASEAN People’s Forum 2020 (APF 2020), hosted by Vietnam, officially opened on the morning of November 5 with the theme: `Unifying the people of Southeast Asia for an inclusive, cohesive and democratic community.`

The opening ceremony was attended by Head of the APF 2020 Organizing Committee Phan Anh Son – Vice President and General Secretary of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations, Deputy Minister of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs Le Van Thanh,

APF 2020 is scheduled to take place until November 7 and is organized with the goal of enhancing solidarity among people in the region to respond to global challenges, towards and build an ASEAN community oriented

This year, due to the complicated developments of Covid-19, the ASEAN People’s Forum for the first time in history was held in the form of an online conference with the participation of delegates from Vietnam and from other countries in the region.

The ASEAN Community is people-centered

Vice President and General Secretary of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations, Head of the APF 2020 Organizing Committee Phan Anh Son (Photo: Tuan Viet)

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Mr. Phan Anh Son said that delegates participating in APF 2020 will have the opportunity to discuss a series of topics such as peace, security, labor, immigration, trade, and sustainability.

Talking to the press on the sidelines of the Forum, Mr. Phan Anh Son emphasized that one of the goals that will be discussed is `strengthening coordination among ASEAN people’s organizations, especially in coordinating

Mr. Phan Anh Son said that the above items are not only the sole tasks of the governments of ASEAN countries, but also require contributions from people and people’s organizations in the region.

Find solutions to common challenges

Deputy Minister of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs Le Van Thanh (Photo: Tuan Viet)

Speaking at the opening session of APF 2020, Deputy Minister of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs Le Van Thanh commented that in 2020 the world and the region faced unprecedented challenges, such as the Covid-19 epidemic.

Deputy Minister Le Van Thanh said that to respond to the epidemic, ASEAN has established a Covid-19 Response Fund and developed a framework aimed at comprehensive recovery and an accompanying implementation plan.

He also emphasized Vietnam’s achievements in preventing the Covid-19 epidemic thanks to early vigilance against the pandemic, direction from the Party and Government, as well as the people’s participation and cooperation.

Deputy Minister Le Van Thanh expressed his hope that APF 2020 will be an opportunity for all parties to share experiences, strengthen solidarity and attachment between ASEAN people’s organizations and social movements, and find measures to respond to the crisis.

ASEAN Deputy Secretary General Kung Phoak said that the impact of Covid-19 on the ASEAN community is serious and is expected to last in the near future.