ASEAN Future Forum 2026 Closing Session: Record participation, new agenda, stronger connectivity and optimism for the future

Politburo Member, Party Secretary of the Ministry, Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung speaks at the Closing Session of the ASEAN Future Forum. (Photo: Quang Hoa)

On the afternoon of June 10, after two days of vibrant discussions, the Closing Session of the ASEAN Future Forum took place, attended by Politburo Member, Party Secretary of the Ministry, Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung.

Central Committee Member, Deputy Standing Secretary of the Ministry's Party Committee, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Manh Cuong reported at the Closing Session on the outcomes of the Southeast Asian Political Parties Dialogue themed "Political Parties' role in Building the ASEAN Community". Deputy Minister Nguyen Manh Cuong stressed that this initiative, launched by the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam, was organized for the first time within the framework of the ASEAN Future Forum. The dialogue was designed as a platform for political parties in the region to exchange views, share experiences, and contribute to the community-building process. This activity took place in an open, frank, and constructive atmosphere, with active participation from 11 political parties from Southeast Asian countries, along with numerous scholars and experts in the region.

Central Committee Member, Deputy Standing Secretary of the Ministry's Party Committee, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Manh Cuong speaks at the Closing Session. (Photo: Quang Hoa)

According to Deputy Minister Nguyen Manh Cuong, delegates agreed that enhancing dialogue, building trust, and mutual understanding among political parties is essential for strengthening ASEAN unity, enhancing regional resilience, and promoting ASEAN's central role in the rapidly changing regional and international environment. Delegates also proposed several specific initiatives to build trust, deepen cooperation, and support the implementation of the ASEAN Community Vision 2045. Notably, many emphasized the importance of sharing practical experiences in governance and public policy-making, while promoting initiatives that can make tangible contributions to the ASEAN Community-building process.

Moreover, many delegates highly valued the practical significance of the dialogue model and expressed support for maintaining more regular exchanges between political parties in Southeast Asia. Opinions also hoped that the dialogue would gradually become a regular mechanism, creating a sustainable platform for building trust and enhancing understanding among political parties and scholars in the region. “Today's dialogue has shown that dialogue among political parties can strengthen mutual understanding and trust, while opening new cooperation opportunities to support building a more united, resilient, and sustainable ASEAN,” Deputy Minister Nguyen Manh Cuong emphasized.

Summarizing the ASEAN Cities Leaders Conference 2026, Central Committee Member, Chairman of the Hanoi People's Committee Vu Dai Thang stated that the conference, co-hosted by the Hanoi People's Committee and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam within the framework of the ASEAN Future Forum, was successfully held with the participation of over 250 delegates representing more than 25 cities and localities from ASEAN member countries, along with numerous scholars and experts from within and outside the region. Delegates highly appreciated Hanoi's initiative in organizing the conference, considering it a practical forum to enhance dialogue, connectivity, and experience sharing among ASEAN cities amidst the region facing intertwined opportunities and challenges. At the conference, ASEAN cities shared the understanding that urban areas increasingly play a vital role in promoting economic growth, innovation, digital transformation, green development, and improving the quality of life for citizens.

Central Committee Member, Chairman of the Hanoi People's Committee Vu Dai Thang speaks at the Closing Session. (Photo: Quang Hoa)

According to the Chairman of the Hanoi People's Committee, the conference also acknowledged the common challenges faced by ASEAN cities, from climate change, development gaps, resource shortages for green and digital transitions, to emerging issues related to artificial intelligence and data security. Delegates agreed that these challenges also present opportunities for cities to enhance cooperation, share experiences, and jointly promote innovative solutions for the region's sustainable development goals. Through in-depth discussions, the conference identified two key directions, emphasizing that technology and digital infrastructure can only be effective when accompanied by modern governance capabilities and better serving the needs of the people; while highlighting the role of artificial intelligence, data, and private sector participation in promoting innovation and digital transformation in ASEAN cities.

Additionally, delegates suggested that cities should prioritize developing green infrastructure, enhancing resilience to climate change, and promoting sustainable development solutions, with people always at the center of all response, adaptation, and development strategies. Notably, delegates had the opportunity to report the conference results to National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man. The National Assembly Chairman highly valued Hanoi's initiative in organizing the ASEAN Cities Leaders Conference, emphasizing the increasingly important role of urban areas in ASEAN's development process and affirming the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly's (AIPA) support in promoting favorable policy frameworks for sustainable urban development centered on people. Delegates also expressed the desire to continue maintaining and enhancing dialogue mechanisms and connectivity among ASEAN cities in the future. For its part, Hanoi is committed to continuing close cooperation with localities in the region to promote practical cooperation initiatives, contributing positively to building a peaceful, stable, and sustainable ASEAN Community.

In his closing remarks, Politburo Member, Party Secretary of the Ministry, Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung affirmed that after two days of intense work, the program under the theme: “Shaping Our Future Together: Peace, Prosperity, People-Centered” has concluded with many practical results.

This year's forum gathered over 1,200 delegates from around the world – a record number. Equally important were the insightful discussions and presentations by the speakers. Minister Le Hoai Trung highlighted seven key points of the Forum, including:

First, the issues raised in the agenda are truly significant for all of us, for each member country, and the partners. The third ASEAN Future Forum was structured to address emerging and long-term issues. “The issues we have witnessed and listened to over the past two days are those we have skillfully incorporated into the agenda and are high priorities for each ASEAN member country, the community, and in relations with partners. I am also pleased to see the alignment between the third ASEAN Future Forum and this year's ASEAN Chairmanship theme of the Philippines, as shared by President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr.,” Minister Le Hoai Trung emphasized.

Second, this year's Forum also introduced new elements. This year, the ASEAN Cities Leaders Conference, the dialogue among political party representatives from ASEAN member countries, the youth exchanges, and the Mekong sub-region sessions were held for the first time.

“We hope these events help us nurture connections among people, fostering people-to-people exchanges to build a sustainable, inclusive, and people-centered community,” Minister Le Hoai Trung emphasized.

Third, the exchanges at the Forum were substantive and creative, with the potential to be reported to ASEAN Leaders for consideration. Delegates discussed a wide range of issues, including long-term matters such as ASEAN resilience and cohesion, conflict prevention, and transformation of growth and development models. The discussions emphasized the inclusive use of AI and energy security; there were very creative ideas to promote the shift from "Made in ASEAN" to "Made by ASEAN".

To shift the role and position of ASEAN member countries in global supply chains and harmonize industrial policies with global policy mechanisms, speakers talked about the need for a dynamic balance in the current unpredictable geopolitical instability.

Overview of the Closing Session of the ASEAN Future Forum. (Photo: Quang Hoa)

Fourth, through exchanges, the spirit of community was more evident than ever. The insights from leaders, scholars, and youth delegates showed that we all deeply care about regional security and that adherence to and respect for international law are essential for development.

We are concerned about the three "fundamental crises" as analyzed and mentioned by General Secretary, President To Lam. We share the need for preventive measures against instability and impacts on the international order as well as regional challenges.

We are concerned about the risks to supply chains in the region and globally, the impacts of conflicts on energy and food security. In the face of these challenges, we are determined to enhance resilience and stability in the ASEAN regional structure, aiming for the successful implementation of the ASEAN Community Vision 2045.

Fifth, delegates also shared a commitment to ASEAN's future, ASEAN's values, and the strategic role of the Association. The UN Deputy Secretary-General, within the framework of the Forum, also emphasized the importance of ASEAN's achievements over the years. We witnessed a record number of delegates at the Forum, including leaders from member countries and representatives from ASEAN's dialogue partners.

Sixth, we observed a convergence of views within ASEAN regarding current challenges. Enhancing the region's resilience and adaptability is our high priority, and speakers emphasized the need to build a long-term strategic environment, not just short-term responses. We also need to integrate more deeply and not turn our backs on ASEAN's collective efforts. ASEAN's central role in the regional structure requires us to take more active and proactive actions.

A farewell wave and see you at the "season" AFF 2027. (Photo: Nguyen Binh)

Seventh, in the role of the Organizer, Minister Le Hoai Trung was delighted with the interest shown in this year's forum and the friendship and cooperation extended by speakers, delegates, friends, partners, and colleagues to Vietnam. “We are pleased to see that the forum, over the past three years, has become an increasingly important platform for all of us to promote joint efforts in building the ASEAN Community and strengthening ASEAN's relations with key international partners outside the region,” Minister Le Hoai Trung affirmed.

Minister Le Hoai Trung believes that many delegates share the belief that the ASEAN Future Forum has left us with an overwhelming sense of optimism about the future.

“We have been reminded of the importance of the achievements and success stories that ASEAN has accomplished. We are also equipped with new ideas and very specific action recommendations that can help ASEAN and the ASEAN Future Forum become a truly dynamic forum for the region,” Minister Le Hoai Trung emphasized.

Some highlights of the ASEAN Future Forum 2026:

Prime Minister Le Minh Hung and ASEAN Leaders from Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, Timor-Leste attend the Opening Session of the ASEAN Future Forum. (Photo: Pham Tuan)

Prime Minister Le Minh Hung speaks at the Opening Ceremony of the Forum. (Photo: Quang Hoa)

Delegates take a group photo. (Photo: Quang Hoa)

Politburo Member, Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung delivers a welcome speech at the Opening Session. (Photo: Quang Hoa)

Central Committee Member, Deputy Standing Secretary of the Ministry's Party Committee, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Manh Cuong speaks at Discussion Session I at the Forum. (Photo: Thanh Long)