Virtual ASEAN summit to be hosted by Vietnam on June 26

Last updated on May 7th, 2021 at 05:33 am

Member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) have agreed to virtually meet on June 26 to hold their annual summit as the COVID19 pandemic continues to impact the region, an Indonesian senior official said Friday.

Vietnam, who currently holds the chairmanship of Asean this year, will be hosting the virtual meeting from Hanoi on June 27 and 28.

According to director general for Asean Cooperation Jose Tavares said that although Vietnam’s initial proposal of face-to-face summit was good as leaders will be personally engaged to discuss various issues related to the region, the coronavirus disease is still spreading in some member countries. The best alternative would be to hold the Asean Summit virtually meeting on June 26.

He added that safety concerns of the state leaders were taken to consideration on while deciding on this year’s summit.

According to a tally by World Health Organization, Covid-19 death toll from the Asean region has climbed to 3,245, while the total number of cases reached 111,218. Total recoveries are now at 55,152. Singapore currently has the highest infection in the region with 39,387 and 25 deaths followed by Indonesia with 35,295 cases and over 2,000 fatalities. Philippines recorded 24,175 cases and 1,036 deaths while Malaysia registered 8,369 with 118 fatalities.