Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh arrives in Vientiane to attend the 44th and 45th ASEAN Summits. (Photo: Duong Giang/VNA)

Attended by the leaders of ASEAN countries, Timor-Leste, 10 ASEAN partners, and regional and global organizations, the Summits will focus on strategic issues, boost dialogue and cooperation to grasp opportunities, overcome challenges, and develop ASEAN sustainably.

Orienting cooperation, shaping future, positioning ASEAN in new context

2024 marks a turning point for ASEAN, heading toward completing the 2025 master plan and preparing for a new development phase until 2045. Facing rapid and far-reaching changes globally, ASEAN's new development strategies are expected to elevate regional cooperation and connectivity toward innovation, creativity, and action.

Vietnamese Deputy Foreign Minister Do Hung Viet said: “We have prepared for Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh to convey important messages and Vietnam's contributions to orient ASEAN’s cooperation, shape ASEAN's future, and position ASEAN in the regional security structure and globally. Strengthening the self-reliance of nations, communities, and individuals also matters.”

Taking place two weeks after the UN Summit for the Future in New York, the ASEAN Summits and related meetings will affirm the irreplaceable value and importance of multilateralism in the current context.

With the success of the ASEAN Future Forum held in Vietnam in April this year, Vietnam forwarded the Forum’s recommendations and proposals to the UN Summit for the Future to relate regional and global priorities and concerns. With achievements gained over the last six decades, ASEAN has the capacity and ability to engage more effectively in global issues.

Vietnamese Deputy Foreign Minister Do Hung Viet (Photo: Quang Hoa/ baoquocte.vn)

Making more contributions to shared work

After nearly three decades of ASEAN membership, Vietnam is ready to contribute more to ASEAN. Vietnam has closely coordinated and supported Laos to successfully fulfill its duty as the ASEAN Chair and fostered the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries in a spirit of proactive implementation, substantive participation, and sincere contribution.

“We strongly support and effectively implement the priorities and initiatives put forward by Laos, coordinate with Laos in organizing activities throughout its Chairmanship year, and share Vietnam's experiences. We continue to effectively implement ASEAN's plans, strategies, and programs until 2025 and build ASEAN's plans and strategies and post-2025 vision toward 2045. Vietnam has proposed new ideas for ASEAN cooperation, promoting a more sustainable, peaceful, secure, and stable future for ASEAN,” said Viet.

VOV's reporter interviews Lao Ambassador to ASEAN Bovonethat Douangchak. (Photo: VOV-Jakarta)

Bovonethat Douangchak, Ambassador, Permanent Representative of Laos to ASEAN and Chair of the Committee of Permanent Representatives to ASEAN in 2024, said: "While preparing for Laos’ ASEAN Chairmanship year, the two countries exchanged views and experience regarding the priorities and possible outcomes of the ASEAN Year 2024. Laos and Vietnam also coordinated with other ASEAN countries to implement activities and programs under this year’s nine priorities toward the building of the ASEAN Community. Laos and Vietnam aim to achieve the shared goals of ASEAN, especially the ASEAN Vision to 2025."

Vietnam will work with other countries to strengthen ASEAN’s unity in the context of rapid and complex changes, affirm ASEAN's stature in the region and the world, and move toward a more connected and resilient ASEAN Community.