VINACHEM

Speaking at the 11th ASEAN Senior Officials Meeting in Minerals (ASOMM-11), which officially opened yesterday, Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Nguyen Linh Ngoc stressed that multilateral programmes had been implemented and progresses made as outcomes of the last ten meetings.

“They are the foundation for bilateral co-operation among regional countries,” he said, adding that through those meetings, ASEAN countries had become more and more united.

“Co-operation action plans in minerals have reflected the urgent needs and common concerns of all ASEAN countries,” Ngoc said.

At ASOMM-11, delegates will also discuss future multilateral programmes and projects, targeting a consensus on the “ASEAN Minerals Co-operation Action Plan 2011-15”, the establishment of a trust fund, and the venue and time of the forthcoming 12th ASOMM.

“The outcomes of the ASOMM-11 will set the momentum for countries to effectively co-operate and exchange information, knowledge and experiences to help make minerals be the leading sector in each country’s social economic development,” said the official.

Forums at ASOMM-11 will focus on ensuring the sustainable development and use of mineral resources; boosting co-operation in mineral trade and investment; pushing up co-operation in the policy and standards building; enhancing private dialogues among ASEAN in minerals; and encouraging the expansion of co-operation in minerals at regional and international forums.

The 4th “ASOMM plus 3” meeting, in which senior officials from ASEAN will have talks with three consultant countries of China, Japan and South Korea, and the 3rd ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Minerals, together with other relevant meetings are scheduled today and tomorrow. — VNS