At the meetings, partners affirmed their high regard for relations with ASEAN, their respect for ASEAN’s central role, and their support for ASEAN in building a community. They pledged to work closely with ASEAN to promote dialogues, cooperation, and response to shared challenges.

The Ministers welcomed the conclusion of negotiations to upgrade the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement and adopted the Joint Cooperation Declaration on the ASEAN Outlook on Indo-Pacific program.

ASEAN and India approved the Appendix of Action Plan to implement the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership established late last year, emphasizing the priority of enhancing cooperation in maritime, the digital economy, cyber security, health, the environment, and transnational crime prevention.

ASEAN and Russia unanimously adopted a Joint Statement commemorating the 5th anniversary of the ASEAN-Russia Strategic Partnership (2018‑2023). They pledged to promote practical cooperation, especially in areas of Russia’s strengths and ASEAN’s requirements.

ASEAN and Australia agreed to strengthen cooperation towards sustainable development, support the organization of the ASEAN-Australia High-Level Dialogue on Climate Change and Energy Transition co-organized by Laos, Australia, and Vietnam later this year in Vietnam.

At the meeting with China, countries welcomed progress in negotiations to upgrade the Free Trade Agreement, which reflects their commitment to build an inclusive, comprehensive, modern, and rules-based economic environment. The Foreign Ministers also acknowledged progress in the negotiation of the Code of Conduct (COC) in the East Sea and the adoption of the Guidelines for the early completion of the COC. The two sides agreed to choose 2024 as the year of people-to-people exchanges between ASEAN and China.

Addressing the meetings, Vietnamese Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son praised the extensive progress in cooperation between ASEAN and its partners, suggesting the partners support the bloc’s central role, maintain assistance for the ASEAN Community building, and jointly contribute to peace, security and development in the region.

The Minister proposed orientations to enhance cooperation between ASEAN and its partners, especially in the implementation of free trade agreements, investment, tourism, human resources development, infrastructure connectivity, and sub-regional cooperation, as well as expanding cooperation priorities in climate change response, energy security, food security and green growth.

He stressed the importance of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) and the building of a practical, effective COC in accordance with international law, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), for peace and cooperation in the East Sea.