Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan participated in the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Retreat on 21 January 2021 via videoconference. This was the first in a series of meetings that Brunei Darussalam will be hosting as Chair of ASEAN in 2021, under the theme, “We Care, We Prepare, We Prosper”.
The Retreat discussed Brunei’s ASEAN Chairmanship priorities, ASEAN’s Community Building efforts, external relations and the importance of keeping ASEAN’s Centrality in the evolving regional architecture. The Foreign Ministers also exchanged views on regional and international issues. Minister Balakrishnan underscored the critical role of multilateralism in addressing the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and post-pandemic recovery. Minister Balakrishnan also welcomed further cooperation in areas such as the ASEAN Smart Cities Network, cybersecurity, climate change and supply chain connectivity.
The meeting was chaired by Brunei Minister of Foreign Affairs II, Dato Erywan Pehin Yusof. It was attended by the Foreign Ministers of ASEAN Member States, and Secretary-General of ASEAN Dato Lim Jock Hoi.
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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
SINGAPORE
21 JANUARY 2021
Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan participating in the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Retreat on 21 January 2021.
[Photo credit: Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Singapore]
