Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son (tenth from left) takes a photo with delegates attending the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting and the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR). Photo: Hang Linh/VNA correspondent in Malaysia
At the Dialogue with AICHR Representatives, the Ministers highly appreciated the practical contributions of AICHR to the process of building the ASEAN Community. The Ministers also welcomed AICHR's efforts to mainstream human rights in all areas of cooperation, promote the rights of women, children, persons with disabilities and respond to emerging issues such as the environment, climate change, mental health, transnational crime, cyber security, governance of artificial intelligence and emerging technologies, etc. At the Dialogue, the Ministers approved the AICHR Work Plan for the period 2026-2030 and requested AICHR to closely follow the ASEAN Community Vision 2045, continue to innovate thinking and flexible, creative, adaptive and timely approaches in efforts to promote and protect human rights, contributing to the realization of a resilient, dynamic, innovative and people-centered ASEAN Community.
Appreciating the efforts of the AICHR over the past 15 years, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister Bui Thanh Son expressed his belief that the AICHR will continue to make important contributions to the implementation of the ASEAN Community Vision 2045 and ASEAN cooperation strategies. The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister emphasized that the promotion and protection of human rights is cross-sectoral and cross-pillar, requiring a comprehensive approach and enhanced coordination between the AICHR and specialized agencies to optimize resources for human rights cooperation. In addition to the progress achieved, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister suggested that the AICHR should pay attention to addressing challenges such as poverty, harsh working conditions and the impact of technology on human rights. The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister announced that Vietnam will organize the AICHR Workshop on the rights of seafarers, scheduled for late 2025, to raise awareness and share good practices, promoting cooperation in this field.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son attends the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting and the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR). Photo: Hang Linh/VNA reporter in Malaysia
At the SEANWFZ Treaty Commission Meeting, the ministers emphasized the important role of the Treaty in the context of the complicated developments in the international and regional security situation. The ministers acknowledged the progress in implementing the Action Plan to Enhance the Implementation of the SEANWFZ Treaty for the period 2023-2027, agreed to strengthen cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), enhance regional capacity on nuclear safety and security as well as safe and sustainable application of civil nuclear energy.
The Conference agreed to continue promoting and enhancing the value and role of the Treaty at the global level, including submitting a Resolution on the SEANWFZ Treaty to the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly and enhancing consultations with nuclear-weapon states on the signing of the SEANWFZ Protocol. The Ministers also welcomed and committed to completing the procedures for Timor Leste to join the Treaty at the 47th ASEAN Summit in October 2025, thereby affirming the region's commitment to nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son takes a photo with Foreign Ministers attending the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone Treaty Commission (SEANWFZ) Conference. Photo: VNA
Speaking at the conference, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister Bui Thanh Son affirmed that the SEANWFZ Treaty, which was signed 30 years ago, represents the countries' common commitment to maintaining a nuclear-weapon-free Southeast Asia. In the context of increasing nuclear risks, the SEANWFZ Treaty continues to be the foundation of the regional security architecture and a practical contribution of ASEAN to global disarmament efforts. The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister informed that Vietnam is actively completing internal procedures related to Timor Leste's early participation in the SEANWFZ Treaty.
The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister suggested that it is necessary to continue maintaining ASEAN's dialogue process with nuclear-weapon states, aiming for these states to sign the Protocol to the SEANWFZ Treaty, while enhancing internal exchanges to build a common stance of ASEAN. On this occasion, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister announced that Vietnam will assume the role of Chair of the 11th Review Conference of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) in 2026 and look forward to the support and close coordination of the countries.
On the same day, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son also had bilateral meetings with the Foreign Ministers of Thailand, Laos and Cambodia.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son meets with Thai Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa. Photo: Hang Linh/VNA reporter in Malaysia
At the meeting with Thai Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa, the two Ministers expressed their delight at the development of the bilateral cooperation to a new height, the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, in which political, security and defense relations are increasingly trustworthy; economic, trade and investment cooperation continues to be a solid pillar; cooperation in other fields such as science and technology, tourism, education and training, culture and people-to-people exchange... has developed extensively, with many new forms.
The two sides emphasized their determination to effectively implement the results of the 4th Vietnam-Thailand Joint Cabinet Meeting (May 15-16, 2025); promptly develop an Action Program to implement the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for the 2026-2030 period with specific substantive contents, strive to soon achieve a trade turnover of 25 billion USD and promote the effective implementation of the "Three Connectivity" Strategy, including the early establishment of a Joint Working Group to discuss specific plans to implement this Strategy; commit to not allowing any individual or organization to use the territory of one country to oppose the other; effectively exploit new potential fields such as science, technology, innovation, digital transformation, digital economy, green economy, renewable energy, and energy conversion.
The Thai Foreign Minister suggested that the two sides discuss new ways to promote tourism cooperation, ensure food security and facilitate private sector cooperation. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son fully agreed and affirmed his support for tourism connectivity initiatives in the ASEAN region; promoting connectivity within the framework of the Ayeyawady-Chao Phraya-Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy (ACMECS); and at the same time suggested that Thailand continue to facilitate the Vietnamese community in Thailand. The two sides welcomed the enhancement of people-to-people exchanges and further promoting the role of Vietnamese people in Thailand as well as Thai people in Vietnam to actively contribute to the development of the Vietnam-Thailand Strategic Partnership.
The two ministers agreed to continue to coordinate, consult and support each other at multilateral forums; strengthen solidarity and promote ASEAN's central role in international and regional issues; cooperate in developing the Mekong sub-region, and manage and sustainably use Mekong River water resources; support peace, stability, security, safety, freedom of navigation and aviation in the East Sea on the basis of international law and the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and coordinate views at the BRICS forum.
Responding to the Thai Foreign Minister's sharing about the recent situation between Thailand and Cambodia, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son said that Vietnam is closely following and hopes that the two countries will avoid causing tension, soon resolve the issue through peaceful and friendly dialogue, strengthen ASEAN solidarity, and actively contribute to building a strong ASEAN Community and for a region of peace, stability, cooperation and development.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son meets with Lao Foreign Minister Thongsavanh Phomvihane. Photo: Hang Linh/VNA reporter in Malaysia
At the meeting with Lao Foreign Minister Thongsavanh Phomvihane, the two ministers expressed their delight at the strong, effective, in-depth and substantive development of the Vietnam-Laos cooperative relationship in all areas. Political trust continues to be enhanced through regular exchanges of delegations and contacts at high and all levels as well as within the framework of cooperation mechanisms; defense-security cooperation continues to be in-depth and effective, providing a solid foundation for each other; connectivity cooperation between the two countries has made much progress, especially in transport infrastructure, border gates and seaports; people-to-people exchanges are increasingly extensive and closely linked.
The two ministers expressed their delight at the strong changes in economic, trade and investment cooperation. Two-way trade turnover in the first 5 months of 2025 reached 1.6 billion USD, up 100.4% over the same period, aiming for the target of 5 billion USD in the coming time. With the operation of Vung Ang wharf 3, Laos can expand international integration, facilitate import and export of goods, further highlight the connection and economic cooperation between Vietnam and Laos, thereby clearly demonstrating the special trust and sincere friendship between comrades and brothers of Vietnam and Laos.
Discussing measures to promote cooperation between the two Foreign Ministries in the coming time, the two Ministers were pleased to share that this was the second meeting between the two Ministers in the past two months; agreed to direct relevant units to coordinate effectively implementing commitments and agreements of the two countries' senior leaders; well prepare for activities, visits and high-level meetings in the coming time, especially the 80th anniversary of the successful August Revolution (August 19, 1945 - August 19, 2025) and Vietnam's National Day (September 2, 1945 - September 2, 2025), the 50th anniversary of Laos' National Day (December 21, 1975 - December 21, 2025) and the 105th anniversary of the birth of President Kayson Phomvihan (December 13, 1920 - December 13, 2025); effectively implement the Cooperation Agreement for the 2021-2025 period and soon agree on a new Cooperation Agreement; effectively promote the mechanisms of Political Consultation at the Ministerial level and Political Consultation at the Deputy Foreign Minister level. The Lao Foreign Minister respectfully reiterated that the participation of the Lao armed forces in the parade at the 50th Anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification (April 30, 1975 - April 30, 2025) and the upcoming 80th Anniversary of Vietnam's National Day is of great significance to Laos and the special solidarity relationship between Vietnam and Laos.
The two sides also shared views on a number of international and regional issues of mutual concern; agreed to continue to closely coordinate and support each other at multilateral forums, especially within ASEAN and Mekong sub-regional cooperation mechanisms; and supported ASEAN's common stance on strategic issues in the region, including the East Sea issue.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son met with Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Prak Sokhonn. Photo: Hang Linh/VNA correspondent in Malaysia
At a meeting with Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Prak Sokhonn, Deputy Prime Minister Bui Thanh Son was pleased to inform him that on July 1, 2025, Vietnam had implemented the merger of provinces and centrally-run cities. This merger aims to reduce the number and increase the scale of administrative units, expand development space, and maximize the potential and advantages of localities.
Deputy Prime Minister Prak Sokhonn congratulated Vietnam on successfully implementing the lean apparatus revolution to enter an era of prosperous development.
The two Deputy Prime Ministers and Foreign Ministers were pleased with the current good relations between the two countries. Senior leaders of the two countries regularly meet and discuss measures to promote bilateral relations; cooperation mechanisms are maintained, cooperation between ministries, branches and localities is increasingly expanding; notably, trade cooperation has progressed strongly, in the first 5 months of 2025 alone, two-way trade turnover reached 5.5 billion USD, an increase of 18.8% over the same period in 2024. Deputy Prime Minister Prak Sokhonn was pleased to announce that President of the Cambodian People's Party and President of the Senate Hun Sen will attend the 80th Anniversary of Vietnam's National Day (September 2, 1945 - September 2, 2025).
The two Deputy Prime Ministers agreed to continue to coordinate closely, as well as encourage other ministries and sectors to effectively promote existing bilateral cooperation mechanisms, promote comprehensive cooperation in all fields, focusing on increasing delegation exchanges and high-level contacts, connecting infrastructure, transportation, border gates, further promoting trade cooperation, enhancing people-to-people exchange, and expanding tourism cooperation.
Deputy Prime Minister Prak Sokhonn acknowledged Deputy Prime Minister Bui Thanh Son's proposals on creating conditions for Vietnamese enterprises to increase investment in Cambodia, as well as for Vietnam to increase exports of cement, iron, steel, and construction materials to Cambodia; the two sides actively and closely coordinated on land border demarcation issues, creating favorable conditions for Vietnamese people in Cambodia in the spirit of good neighborliness, traditional friendship, comprehensive cooperation, and long-term sustainability.
After Deputy Prime Minister Prak Sokhonn mentioned Cambodia's viewpoint on the Thailand-Cambodia tension, Deputy Prime Minister Bui Thanh Son affirmed that Vietnam hopes the two countries will resolve the issue peacefully and amicably, strengthen ASEAN solidarity, and actively contribute to building a strong ASEAN Community and a region of peace, stability, cooperation and development.
Hang Linh-Thanh Trung (Vietnam News Agency)
Source: https://baotintuc.vn/chinh-tri/viet-nam-thuc-day-cach-tiep-can-toan-dien-ve-quyen-con-nguoi-trong-asean-20250708215935361.htm
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