The Forum is an initiative announced by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh at the 43rd ASEAN Summit (2024).
Attending the opening session of this year's Forum were the President of Timor-Leste, the Secretary General of ASEAN, the Deputy Prime Minister of Laos, the Deputy Prime Minister of Cambodia, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Timor-Leste, and representatives of diplomatic agencies and international organizations.
On the Vietnamese side, there were Director of the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics, Chairman of the Central Theoretical Council Nguyen Xuan Thang, Minister of Public Security Luong Tam Quang, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son, and leaders of ministries, branches, and agencies.
In addition to the opening session, other sessions of this year's Forum were also attended by the Prime Minister of Malaysia - ASEAN Chair 2025, the Prime Minister of New Zealand. The Prime Minister of Russia, the Prime Minister of Thailand, the President of the European Commission, the Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations and many Ministers of countries sent messages to the Forum.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh delivers the opening speech at the 2nd ASEAN Future Forum 2025 - Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac
Three strategic priorities on solidarity, self-reliance and identity
In his opening speech, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh first conveyed the greetings of General Secretary To Lam, President Luong Cuong and the Prime Minister himself to the delegates attending this year's Forum.
This is a very meaningful event as it takes place at the time of the 10th anniversary of the formation of the ASEAN Community, the 30th anniversary of Vietnam joining the common ASEAN home and also the year of the adoption of the ASEAN Community Vision 2045 to bring ASEAN into a new era, towards a Community of solidarity, unity in diversity, self-reliance, innovation and people-centeredness.
According to the Prime Minister, the world and the Asia-Pacific region are witnessing profound changes with intertwined challenges and opportunities. Global, national, and comprehensive issues are evolving faster, more complexly, and more unpredictable than before. The world today is facing the following trends: political polarization; population aging; resource depletion; diversification of markets, products, and supply chains; greening of production, business, and services; and digitalization of all human activities. That context poses many difficult problems but at the same time opens up rare opportunities for ASEAN to affirm its position and make breakthroughs.
The Prime Minister assessed that, established nearly 60 years ago with only 5 founding members, ASEAN today has become a Community of 10 nations united in diversity; the 5th largest economy in the world with a leading growth rate; the center of regional and global integration processes; a bridge of dialogue and cooperation for peace and development in the region, actively contributing to shaping the world order.
The Prime Minister assessed that, established nearly 60 years ago with only 5 founding members, ASEAN today has become a Community of 10 nations united in diversity - Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac
Entering a new stage of development, ASEAN is forecast to become the third largest economy in the world with a GDP exceeding 10 trillion USD, a consumer market of more than 800 million people; and will also be a center of technology, digital economy and innovation, with the digital economy expected to reach 1,000 billion USD by 2030.
To make the above forecast come true, ASEAN needs not only solidarity, consensus, and unanimity, but also breakthrough thinking, sharp strategies, feasible roadmaps, concentrated resources, and decisive actions. In that spirit, the Prime Minister proposed three strategic priorities and three breakthrough actions.
The Prime Minister proposed three strategic priorities and three action breakthroughs for ASEAN to enter a new development phase - Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac
Three strategic priorities on solidarity, self-reliance and identity, including:
Firstly, to strengthen a strategically autonomous ASEAN through enhancing ASEAN solidarity and centrality. A strategically autonomous ASEAN is an ASEAN that is consensual and united, while at the same time balanced and flexible in all foreign relations; playing an active role in shaping the regional order and international solidarity and cooperation in the current context.
Second, build an economically resilient ASEAN by innovating traditional growth drivers while promoting new growth drivers, especially in science and technology, innovation and digital transformation. ASEAN needs to take the lead in promoting digital transformation and innovation; developing green economy, circular economy, renewable energy; and deeply connecting with the global supply chain to become the world's strategic manufacturing hub.
Third, upholding ASEAN’s values and identity such as the spirit of consensus, harmony, unity in diversity and respect for differences. This is not only to be continued but also a value that needs to be shared and widely spread by ASEAN to become a common guideline of conduct for countries in international relations.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son delivers a welcome speech - Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac
The three action breakthroughs include:
Firstly, build a more flexible, effective and responsible decision-making mechanism, ensuring both the principle of consensus and specific mechanisms for strategic initiatives and breakthroughs.
Second , promote public-private partnership to mobilize all resources for regional development, especially key projects; encourage greater participation of the private sector in total social investment; further remove traditional trade barriers and restrictions; develop a smart and safe digital economic environment to serve trade and investment in ASEAN.
Third, further strengthen connectivity, especially infrastructure connectivity, people-to-people exchanges and institutional harmonization for transparency; make efforts to further shorten the decision-making process and simplify administrative procedures and processes in each ASEAN country to effectively implement cooperation activities.
"In short, ASEAN must adapt flexibly, appropriately and effectively to the situation, mobilize resources for development, use public investment to lead private investment and activate all resources in society for development investment; connect within ASEAN and connect ASEAN with regions and the world through infrastructure, institutions and human resources; institutions must be open, infrastructure must be transparent, governance and human resources must be smart," Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh emphasized.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son said that solidarity is ASEAN's greatest strength - Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac
According to the Prime Minister, three decades of accompanying ASEAN have affirmed Vietnam's correct strategic vision. ASEAN has become Vietnam's strategic space and natural development environment, while Vietnam has always been an active and responsible member in consolidating solidarity, enhancing the central role and promoting sustainable development of ASEAN.
Recalling the Vietnamese proverb "One tree alone cannot make a forest, three trees together can make a high mountain", the Prime Minister said this is even more true in the current context when ASEAN and Vietnam are standing at a new historical starting point, together moving towards aspirational goals. Vietnam strongly believes in the solidarity, unity, spirit of cooperation, vitality and strategic value of ASEAN.
"We are committed to being a proactive, active and responsible member in building a united, inclusive and resilient ASEAN Community, together realizing the ASEAN Community Vision 2045 for the benefit of all people in the region, together with member countries, partners and international friends to continue writing new proud pages in ASEAN's development journey," the head of the Vietnamese Government emphasized.
Making ASEAN a Model and a Symbol
In his welcoming remarks, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son stated that, in the spirit of "of ASEAN, by ASEAN and for ASEAN", the ASEAN Future Forum aims to complement existing ASEAN frameworks by promoting new, creative and strategic discussions, contributing to shaping ASEAN's future in a way that best serves the common interests of the region.
The first ASEAN Future Forum in 2024 was a great success, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister Bui Thanh Son hopes that the Forum will develop into a regular platform and a leading incubation center for innovative ideas for ASEAN's future development.
According to Deputy Prime Minister and Minister Bui Thanh Son, in the context of global geopolitical developments in the past few weeks, the world is at a critical juncture, raising many unanswered questions about future interactions between major powers and the post-World War II international order, especially the role and function of the United Nations Charter and international law.
In that context, regional organizations such as ASEAN need to affirm their role and adaptability, maintain unity, resilience and inclusiveness in the face of new realities.
Timor-Leste President Jose Ramos-Horta speaks - Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac
Sharing the theme of this year’s Forum, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son said that unity is ASEAN’s greatest strength. Resilience reflects ASEAN’s ability to navigate through global uncertainties and potential external shocks. Inclusiveness ensures that ASEAN’s progress is fair and that no member state or group is left behind.
"That also means that ASEAN will not take sides, but will be a friend and cooperative partner to all and act as a bridge for dialogue and cooperation for all parties. I believe that solidarity, inclusiveness and self-reliance are the decisive factors that help ASEAN firmly overcome today's complex global context," said Deputy Prime Minister and Minister Bui Thanh Son.
Delegates attending the 2nd ASEAN Future Forum (AFF) in 2025 - Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac
Deputy Prime Minister Bui Thanh Son suggested that delegates focus on discussing a number of contents: What are the major trends shaping ASEAN; the biggest opportunities and challenges for ASEAN; how to promote ASEAN's solidarity, inclusiveness and resilience; how advanced technologies will impact ASEAN; how can ASEAN maintain its central role in a rapidly changing world?
According to the Deputy Prime Minister, throughout its journey of joining ASEAN, Vietnam has always been steadfast in its commitment to building a united, cohesive, resilient and sustainably developing community, and to being an active and responsible member of the ASEAN family. As ASEAN enters a new era of development, Vietnam is ready to contribute more to building the ASEAN Community that can become a model of regional integration and a symbol of peace, stability and shared prosperity in the region and the world.
The ASEAN Future Forum is a large-scale multilateral event, with the participation of leaders, experts, scholars and domestic and international businesses to discuss and propose new initiatives for the future development of ASEAN, promoting cooperation between ASEAN and its partners.
This initiative has received widespread response and support from ASEAN member countries and international partners and friends, demonstrated through the success of the first event held in April 2024.
Following the success of AFF 2024, this year's Forum will be held on February 25-26 with the theme "Building a united, inclusive and resilient ASEAN in a volatile world". The Forum will have over 12 activities, including: 1 High-level session, 5 plenary sessions, 1 Gala Dinner, 1 working lunch session and a number of pre-Forum activities.
The forum will focus on exchanging and discussing topics directly related to the future of ASEAN such as: Major trends affecting ASEAN and the world; ASEAN's fundamental principles, sub-regional cooperation; emerging technology governance; ASEAN's role in connecting and promoting peace...
Held for the second time, the ASEAN Future Forum 2025 strongly demonstrates the message of a proactive and active Vietnam, contributing responsibly together with member countries to maintain and strengthen the central role and promote ASEAN's voice for peace, stability and development.
Source: https://baochinhphu.vn/khai-mac-dien-dan-tuong-lai-asean-thu-tuong-de-xuat-3-uu-tien-chien-luoc-va-3-dot-pha-hanh-dong-10225022515525153.htm
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