The efforts of ASEAN + 3 in responding to Covid-19 become a model for actively cooperating with partners in solving global challenges, according to Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Quoc Dung.

"ASEAN + 3 has been through difficult times such as the SARS epidemic in 2003, the financial crisis in 2008 and most recently Covid-19. ASEAN + 3 and its partners have quickly activated the Emergency Network for

ASEAN + 3 includes 10 ASEAN countries along with China, South Korea and Japan.

During the high-level meetings on November 12, Japan pledged to contribute $ 50 million to help ASEAN set up the Emergency Medical Response Center, while South Korea provided $ 6 million for the Covid-19 response.

Deputy Minister Nguyen Quoc Dung said that although Covid-19 caused many difficulties, ASEAN and East Asian countries still maintained their commitment to expand economic cooperation through the signing of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (

With nearly 2.2 billion people, accounting for nearly 30% of the world's population and an economic size of 27,000 billion USD, accounting for nearly 30% of global GDP, RCEP plans to create one of the largest free trade areas in the world.

However, Mr. Dung also warned of "a very bumpy road ahead" for all economies.

At the forum, ASEAN + 3 delegates also shared the difficulties and challenges that Covid-19 caused.

"Covid-19 creates risks and uncertainties around the world, makes countries increasingly dependent on each other, disrupting global supply chains and changing consumer behavior", Vice President of Chamber of Commerce

Tan Lanin, deputy director of the Department of Fiscal Policy and Macroeconomics, Ministry of Economy and Finance Cambodia, said that like many countries in the region, Cambodia suffered serious losses in exports and tourism, both sectors.

Delegates agreed that the negative impact of Covid-19 poses greater risks to the regional economic, financial and multilateral trading systems.

To cope with the long-term impact of the pandemic, the delegates recommended that ASEAN + 3 should increase the efficient use of the ASEAN + 3 Emergency Rice Reserve Fund to address the potential shortage of food, ensure security.

ASEAN + 3 should also encourage the exchange of production and trade information and essential medical supplies to support the implementation of the ASEAN Medical Material Reserve to deal with medical emergencies.

To promote economic development to overcome the difficulties of the Covid-19 pandemic, countries in the region need to encourage safe and sustainable digital economic development, introduce smart work solutions, and increase trade