 ASEAN Future Forum opens in Hanoi on April 23, 2024. (Photo: VOV) |
After nearly six decades, ASEAN is preparing to enter a new phase of development when it completes the implementation of the ASEAN Community Vision 2025. Member countries are trying to figure out how to maintain their centrality and adapt to changes in the region and the world, how to balance and harmonize the concerns and interests of its members, and how to balance innovation with the preservation of ASEAN's core values. The ASEAN Future Forum, proposed by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh at the ASEAN Summit in September 2023 in Jakarta, Indonesia, is Vietnam’s effort to create a forum for discussing those questions.
An open forum to identify ASEAN’s future
The forum will collect initiatives for building the ASEAN Vision to 2045 and contribute the bloc’s ideas to shape the global future.
Deputy Foreign Minister Do Hung Viet said: “This large multilateral event that Vietnam is hosting was an initiative Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh raised at the ASEAN summit. It demonstrates Vietnam's active role and wish to lead regional and global cooperation.”
The ASEAN Future Forum is being attended by leaders of ASEAN, partners, global organizations, social and civil organizations, scholars, and women and youth representatives, who will discuss issues and perspectives and ASEAN’s role. The forum is an opportunity for people to participate more deeply in the ASEAN process, help international friends and partners better understand ASEAN, and promote comprehensive and substantive cooperation with ASEAN.
Dr. Pham Lan Dung, Acting Director of the Diplomatic Academy at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said: “The forum is a venue for politicians, scholars, businesses, and young people. The role of scholars has always been promoted in ASEAN's activities. We anticipate that they will contribute more proposals and initiatives to ASEAN’s policy-making process. In 2025, ASEAN will build a five-year roadmap and I hope this year’s forum will contribute ideas to that roadmap.”
 Deputy Foreign Minister Do Hung Viet (Photo: Ministry of Foreign Affairs) |
Vietnam actively engages in planning ASEAN future
Since joining ASEAN in 1995, Vietnam has always been an active member, making major contributions to the bloc. Vietnam has been one of the leaders in forging ASEAN cooperation and addressing challenges.
ASEAN General Secretary Kao Kim Hourn said: “Vietnam has been playing a very important role, a major contributor to ASEAN. As we take turn to play the leadership role as ASEAN Chair, member of the ASEAN Secretariat, or country coordinator for our partner countries. Vietnam has been a very proactive member with major contribution to ASEAN.”
At ASEAN Future Forum 2024, members countries will strive to reposition ASEAN’s centrality, seize development opportunities in the digital era, and build a fast-growing and sustainable people-centered ASEAN community.