Malaysian scholar hails Vietnam’s contributions to ASEAN
Vietnam's contributions have helped strengthening ASEAN's role, promoting resilience and bringing better initiatives to the region, according to Dr. Hoo Chiew Ping, senior lecturer at National University of Malaysia (UKM).
Dr. Hoo Chiew Ping, senior lecturer at National University of Malaysia (UKM) (Photo: VNA)
Jakarta (VNA) - Vietnam's contributions have helpedstrengthening ASEAN's role, promoting resilience and bringing betterinitiatives to the region, according to Dr. Hoo Chiew Ping, senior lecturer at National University of Malaysia (UKM).
In an interview granted to the Vietnam News Agency’scorrespondent in Malaysia on the occasion of the end of the 38th and 39th ASEANSummits and related meetings, Dr. Hoo praised Vietnam's contributions,especially to the ASEAN Regional Reserve of Medical Supplies, and to forming a COVID-19 vaccine and medicine supply chain for the region.
She said that ASEAN is one of the first regions in the world to have a COVID-19 response fund, so supporting research anddevelopment of vaccines should be a priority to make good use of these funds.
To maintain self-sufficiency in the vaccine-related issues, a supply chainof medical supplies will help enhance ASEAN's resilience, she said.
Vietnam was one of the first countries in Southeast Asia to succeedin containing the spread of COVID-19 last year, as well as recent outbreaks, thescholar noted.
She also emphasized the need for Southeast Asian countries to createtheir own supplies in order to combat any global pandemic crisis in the future.
Vietnam's contributions not only elevate ASEAN as a region in theinternational arena but also strengthen intra-bloc resilience, according to Hoo./.
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Dr. Hoo Chiew Ping, senior lecturer at National University of Malaysia (UKM) (Photo: VNA) 
