48th ASEAN Summit: Leading the way, shaping change
WVR - The 48th ASEAN Summit (May 7-8) concluded successfully with numerous significant and substantive outcomes. The summit served as a platform where ideas were transformed into concrete solutions, paving the way for timely actions by ASEAN amidst complex global and regional developments, particularly the crisis in the Middle East.
Latest
 |
| Prime Minister Le Minh Hung and ASEAN delegation leaders attend the opening session of the 48th ASEAN Summit. (Source: TTXVN) |
Attending the ASEAN Summit for the first time as Prime Minister, Le Minh Hung proposed numerous initiatives and contributions to the "incubator" of ideas and the "repository" of common solutions for ASEAN. This affirmed the foreign policy of the 14th Party Congress, which continues to prioritize ASEAN and commits to proactive, positive, and responsible contributions alongside other countries to build a united and strong ASEAN Community.
Proactive and resilient amid challenges
“As we begin today's agenda, let our discussions be guided by wisdom, openness, and a strong commitment to one another,” said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., ASEAN Chair 2026, setting the tone for the high-level discussions. True to this spirit, the discussions were lively, positive, and sincere. According to ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn, the discussions extended beyond the scheduled time as ASEAN leaders engaged deeply on strategic regional issues.
Regarding the general direction, leaders shared and supported the Philippines' orientations and priorities for ASEAN cooperation in 2026 under the theme "Steering a Shared Future" with three major focuses: Cooperation in addressing non-traditional challenges as an anchor for regional peace and stability; using economic connectivity, digitalization, inclusive and sustainable development as drivers for prosperity; and placing ASEAN people at the center of Community development.
Specifically, ASEAN reached a high consensus on comprehensive and inclusive response measures, both short-term and long-term, across all pillars, from political-security, economic to socio-cultural, ensuring security and safety for ASEAN people. This consensus not only helps ASEAN overcome immediate difficulties, enhancing the Association's proactivity and resilience, ready to respond to future incidents, but also aims to achieve long-term goals according to the ASEAN Community Vision 2045.
The ASEAN leaders' statement on responding to the Middle East crisis is a significant highlight, demonstrating the substantive outcomes of the Summit. The statement emphasizes strengthening ASEAN solidarity and mutual support among member countries; enhancing inter-sectoral coordination, early warning, and establishing emergency communication mechanisms; accelerating the effective implementation of agreements and cooperation plans on oil and gas, energy and food connectivity, as well as strengthening consular cooperation and citizen support, especially for migrant workers in affected areas.
Notably, ASEAN adopted the Cebu Protocol amending the ASEAN Charter to provide a legal basis for Timor-Leste to join ASEAN as a full member. This marks the first amendment to the ASEAN Charter since its adoption in 2007.
The Summit also emphasized maritime cooperation as a strategic priority for ASEAN. Leaders reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining peace, security, and freedom of navigation in accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea 1982 (UNCLOS 1982). Member countries pledged to expedite negotiations to finalize the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea (COC) this year under the Philippines' ASEAN Chairmanship.
For months, the Philippines has shifted most ASEAN meetings to online formats to address challenges, including budget issues due to the Middle East conflict's impact. A substantive and effective high-level meeting in Cebu this time further demonstrates a methodical approach, with ASEAN truly proactive and resilient to ensure global challenges and shocks do not turn into crises for the region.
 |
| Prime Minister Le Minh Hung attends the Plenary Session of the 48th ASEAN Summit. (Source: TTXVN) |
Contributing to the "Incubator" of Ideas
Faced with interconnected, multi-dimensional challenges, the question for ASEAN is not "whether it will be affected?" but "how will ASEAN respond and how will it respond together?" Prime Minister Le Minh Hung emphasized during the high-level discussion. These concerns prompted the Vietnamese leader to suggest several important approaches for ASEAN.
Accordingly, Prime Minister Le Minh Hung highlighted three major proposals: Firstly, focus resources to ensure essential security needs, including energy security, food security, and human security, by ratifying and effectively implementing the ASEAN Petroleum Security Agreement, substantively executing the ASEAN Energy Cooperation Action Plan 2026-2030, the ASEAN Power Grid, and the ASEAN Gas Pipeline System; diversifying energy sources, promoting energy transition, enhancing access to green finance and advanced technology; improving the effectiveness of existing food security frameworks and agreements, strengthening strategic reserves, and establishing emergency, specialized reserves for rice and other essential commodities.
On this issue, the Prime Minister affirmed Vietnam's readiness to support food in emergency situations, share related experiences with ASEAN member countries, and continue close coordination with member countries in citizen support efforts.
Secondly, the Prime Minister proposed promoting substantive cooperation to enhance ASEAN's internal capacity and resilience. This includes effectively implementing the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA) and swiftly completing the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA).
Finally, the Prime Minister called for strengthening ASEAN coordination and solidarity, enhancing the effectiveness of inter-sectoral consultations and coordination in emergencies, and continuing to promote the coordinating role of the ASEAN Secretariat to ensure regional commitments are implemented continuously, synchronously, and effectively.
Prime Minister Le Minh Hung shared the assessment of ASEAN leaders and emphasized that in an increasingly uncertain and unpredictable strategic environment, the Association cannot merely adapt to change but must lead and shape change.
Vietnam's proposals were welcomed and highly appreciated by ASEAN leaders for their content and timeliness. Based on Vietnam's and other countries' proposals, ASEAN adopted the ASEAN Leaders' Declaration on priority actions to strengthen regional resilience in response to the impacts of the Middle East situation.
Thus, with a united ASEAN like a "golden sheaf of rice," the region is poised to overcome challenges and move forward confidently. For Vietnam, within just over 30 hours, the Prime Minister had a packed schedule, yielding highly substantive and effective outcomes, spreading the message of a dynamic, innovative, integrated, and strong Vietnam, an active and responsible member with significant contributions to the Community.
| During the mission, Prime Minister Le Minh Hung held meetings with leaders of countries and organizations, banks in the region. In these meetings, exchanges, leaders of countries and international friends expressed their desire to strengthen cooperation in various fields with Vietnam, a reliable and responsible partner. |
| “Vietnam has actively coordinated during the year the Philippines holds the ASEAN Chairmanship. The Philippines wishes to collaborate with Vietnam and other ASEAN member countries to further enhance intra-regional economic and trade cooperation, strengthening the peaceful, stable, and developmental environment of the region amidst global fluctuations and challenges.” President of the Philippines Ferdinand Marcos Jr. |
