AMM 59: Proactively navigating the “ASEAN Ship” through challenging waters
WVR - AMM 59 is not only an occasion to review the progress of ASEAN cooperation in 2026, but also an important step in preparing ASEAN to transform strategic orientations into concrete actions, strengthening internal solidarity and resilience, while enhancing its central role in promoting peace, stability, cooperation, and development in the region.
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| Delegates take a photo at the ASEAN-India Foreign Ministers' Meeting within the framework of AMM 59, in Pasay, Philippineson, July 22, 2026. (Source: X) |
“We should not just let the boat drift with the current, but need to proactively steer it to determine the path ahead,” emphasized Philippine Secretary for Foreign Affairs Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro at the Opening Ceremony of the 59th ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting (AMM 59). This spirit of "action" is also the main theme throughout AMM 59, clearly demonstrating ASEAN's determination to shift strongly from orientation to action, from decision-making to implementation.
Echoing this common spirit, within the framework of AMM 59, at both multilateral and bilateral levels, Politburo Member and Foreign Minister Le Hoai Trung conveyed Vietnam's important messages to strengthen ASEAN solidarity, resilience, and integration; emphasized ASEAN's central role; and suggested many directions for cooperation frameworks between ASEAN and its partners.
This highlights the viewpoint that Vietnam will continue to accompany, contribute proactively, responsibly, and effectively to the process of building the ASEAN Community, so that Vietnam's growth is closely linked and parallel with the overall growth of the Association.
Collective strength – A solid shield
The theme of ASEAN Year 2026 "Navigating Our Future, Together" evokes the image of crew members "standing shoulder to shoulder" steering the "common aspiration ship" through waves, reaching out to the sea. Amidst the uncertainties and unpredictability of the global situation, AMM 59 also contains many concerns about overcoming challenges and seizing the future together. ASEAN Foreign Ministers believe that in the current times, ASEAN not only needs to forecast the currents to proactively determine the path but also needs to join hands firmly to help the "ASEAN ship" overcome great waves.
How to proactively determine the path? According to ASEAN Foreign Ministers, these are tasks that have been "bullet-pointed".
Specifically, the Ministers emphasized continuing to focus on implementing the commitments of the 48th ASEAN Summit, accelerating the implementation of the ASEAN Community Vision and realizing the priorities of the ASEAN Chairmanship Year 2026; enhancing the effectiveness of implementing plans and cooperation programs, initially synchronously and comprehensively implementing the Leaders' Declaration on responding to the Middle East crisis across all three pillars, to ensure energy security, food security, supply chain stability, and effectively support people; committing to continue supporting Timor-Leste in strengthening ASEAN integration; deepening relations with existing partners and expanding relations with potential partners.
In parallel, many key issues were also actively discussed, including the Myanmar issue with a narrow session and an expanded informal consultation session, the East Sea issue, or the regional and global situation…
In summary, according to ASEAN Foreign Ministers, the "compass" throughout ASEAN's journey is to promote ASEAN's fundamental principles based on the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation (TAC), enhance ASEAN's collective strength and resilience, making it a solid shield against external pressures and an anchor for peace and stability in the region. ASEAN's top priority now is to ensure a united, resilient Community, effectively promoting its central role in an increasingly substantive and open partnership network.
Enhancing "convergence" capacity
This AMM 59 is also a framework for ASEAN to reaffirm its central role, "convergence" capacity, and coordination in the shaping regional architecture, highlighted by ASEAN 1, ASEAN 3, East Asia Summit (EAS), ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF)…
At the ASEAN-U.S. Foreign Ministers' Meeting, Foreign Minister Marco Rubio reaffirmed the "100% support" for ASEAN's central role, while assessing Southeast Asia as an important growth driver. Similar supportive views were also emphasized by Foreign Minister Wang Yi at the ASEAN-China Foreign Ministers' Meeting; Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov at the ASEAN-Russia Foreign Ministers' Meeting; Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar at the ASEAN-India Foreign Ministers' Meeting…
Within the framework of AMM 59, activities commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC) also took place, a document with foundational principles governing relations between countries in the region and between ASEAN and its partners. Affirming the value and adhering to TAC principles is very timely in the current context, contributing to strengthening the culture of dialogue, strategic trust, respect for international law, and peaceful resolution of differences.
In addition, the Mekong-U.S., Mekong-Japan, and Mekong-Republic of Korea Foreign Ministers' Meetings also contributed to promoting sub-regional cooperation, effectively linking Mekong cooperation with the ASEAN Community building process, towards inclusive, sustainable development and narrowing development gaps.
It can be affirmed that the meetings between ASEAN and its partners are opportunities for parties to enhance dialogue, build trust, promote substantive cooperation in priority areas; while frankly exchanging views on international and regional issues of mutual concern based on international law and ASEAN's fundamental principles.
A foundation for development
A united, resilient ASEAN with a central role is an important foundation for Vietnam and member countries to address regional security challenges, both traditional and non-traditional, while maintaining a peaceful, stable regional environment and promoting development. Therefore, strengthening ASEAN solidarity and centrality continues to be a high priority in Vietnam's foreign policy. This is also the focus that Vietnam is promoting within the framework of this AMM.
At the AMM plenary session, Vietnam highlighted four proposals to strengthen ASEAN solidarity, resilience, and integration.
First, ASEAN principles should continue to be upheld, enhancing dialogue and cooperation to jointly address common challenges.
Second, ASEAN should promote deeper economic integration, becoming more resilient and competitive, through the ASEAN Economic Security Framework to enhance regional resilience against future fluctuations.
Third, ASEAN should develop a people-centered community, leveraging the strength of "unity in diversity" and enhancing mutual understanding among people in the region.
Finally, ASEAN should strengthen strategic autonomy and centrality, especially in the context of increasingly intense and complex major power competition.
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| Foreign Minister Le Hoai Trung co-chairs the ASEAN-New Zealand Foreign Ministers' Meeting, in Pasay, Philippines, on July 22, 2026. (Photo: Bao Chi) |
In both multilateral and bilateral engagements, Politburo Member and Foreign Minister Le Hoai Trung proposed specific directions for cooperation within ASEAN and between ASEAN and its partners. Specifically, discussing future cooperation directions between ASEAN and China, Minister Le Hoai Trung proposed three cooperation priorities: promoting high-quality economic integration and infrastructure connectivity, using innovation and AI as new growth drivers, and enhancing strategic trust and cooperation in addressing non-traditional security challenges.
In a bilateral meeting with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of New Zealand Winston Peters, the Minister emphasized the effective implementation of the ASEAN-New Zealand Action Plan for 2026-2030; promoting the ASEAN-New Zealand Comprehensive Strategic Partnership to develop substantively, effectively, and sustainably, contributing positively to regional peace and cooperation…
Speaking at the Conference on Implementing the Politburo's Resolution on the XIV Party Congress's Foreign Policy, General Secretary and President To Lam emphasized that Vietnam's diplomacy needs to "move from individual growth to growing together with ASEAN".
The success of AMM 59, with Vietnam's practical, proactive, and responsible contributions, is a clear testament to this motto. "Growing together with ASEAN" is not only an objective requirement of regional integration but also a strategic choice aligned with Vietnam's long-term interests.
