On the occasion of the New Year 2022, leaders of several South East Asian countries have appealed to their people to stand united in overcoming the great disaster caused by the global health crisis as soon as possible and to advance much more vigorously towards fresh development, prosperity and progress.

At an interview with Vietnam News Agency, Nguyen Phu Trong, General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam appreciated the fact, although they still have to face many difficulties and challenges, 13 th Party Congress was held with success, so far the epidemic has been basically controlled, and economic development activities and people’s livelihood have been guaranteed.

He said, with the whole country's contribution, the whole Party and the people are united, united in will and action, they will definitely triumph over the COVID-19 pandemic and expressed a position that they will make a worthy contribution to building a new world peaceful and prosperous.

Thongloun Sisoulith, President of the Lao People's Democratic Republic, in his New Year’s Address, proudly reviewed that they had achieved successes last year by pooling all efforts and wills of the people in overcoming hardships and difficulties. He also appealed to the people to devote their efforts, talent and passion to bring about prosperous development of the country, people’s happiness and social harmony.

Maha Vajiralongkorn, King of the Kingdom of Thailand, in his New Year’s Eve speech, said that people should not only care about themselves and urged everyone to work together caring about the prosperity of the nation as a whole, in the face of all challenges and difficulties.

Lee Hsien Loong, Prime Minister of the Republic of Singapore and the leaders of other countries also appealed to everyone to unite and make contribution to the state building.

Last year, South East Asian countries worked hard to protect the lives of the people from the global malignant pandemic and to stabilize and improve their economies at the earliest possible date, achieving a lot of successes in this field.

We are convinced that the efforts by the governments and peoples of the South East Asian countries to achieve the well-being of the people and the prosperity and development of the country will reap good fruits this year too.

Under the ideals of independence, peace and friendship, we will as ever continue to make all efforts to further expand and develop in a multi-faceted way the friendly and cooperative relations with the South East Asian countries which have a long history and tradition.

Kim Hyon U, Member of Korea-Asia Association