ASEAN Future Forum 2026: Creating a more open and substantive dialogue space between ASEAN and partners
WVR - According to Party Central Committee Member, Standing Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee of the Ministry, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Manh Cuong, the ASEAN Future Forum (AFF) 2026 aims to promote the building of a more resilient and sustainable ASEAN community while contributing ideas for ASEAN's future beyond 2045.
Latest
 |
| Overview of the international press conference introducing the ASEAN Future Forum 2026. (Photo: Thanh Long) |
On the afternoon of May 25, within the framework of the international press conference introducing the ASEAN Future Forum 2026 (ASEAN Future Forum 2026) with the theme “Shaping our future together: Peace, Prosperity, and People-Centered”, Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Manh Cuong, along with Dr. Nguyen Hung Son, President of the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam, clarified many important aspects related to the goals, themes, participants, and new highlights of this year's Forum.
Reflecting on ASEAN's core values
In response to a question about Vietnam's expectations for AFF 2026 in contributing to the development of the ASEAN Community, especially in the context of ASEAN implementing the ASEAN Community Vision 2045, Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Manh Cuong stated that the Forum's goal is to create a more open and substantive dialogue space between ASEAN countries and partners.
According to the Deputy Minister, AFF 2026 aims to promote the building of a more resilient and sustainable ASEAN community while contributing ideas for ASEAN's future beyond 2045. Deputy Minister Nguyen Manh Cuong also noted that 2026 marks the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC), making the Forum an opportunity for countries to reflect on ASEAN's core values and propose new initiatives to implement the ASEAN Vision 2045.
Additionally, the Deputy Minister emphasized, “AFF 2026 is also a channel for ASEAN's partner countries to share experiences and initiatives to support ASEAN in digital transformation, sustainable development, climate change response, and energy security. These are issues that ASEAN and other countries are very concerned about.”
Regarding this year's Forum theme: “Shaping our future together: Peace, Prosperity, and People-Centered”, Deputy Minister Nguyen Manh Cuong affirmed that this is a timely theme that directly reflects ASEAN's current priorities.
Peace is a prerequisite for sustainable development. In the current context of global fluctuations and challenges, strengthening peace and stability is ASEAN's central task. Meanwhile, prosperity is a common goal for all nations, requiring ASEAN to enhance economic cooperation, connectivity, and innovation. Notably, the “people-centered” element is the core spirit of the ASEAN Community. All ASEAN activities must aim at benefiting the people, improving their lives so that no one is left behind. Therefore, this year's theme is a harmonious combination of ASEAN's core values and future development goals.
 |
| Central Committee Member, Standing Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee of the Ministry, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Manh Cuong answers media questions about the ASEAN Future Forum 2026. (Photo: Thanh Long) |
Addressing the role of the youth, Deputy Minister Nguyen Manh Cuong emphasized that young people are a core force for ASEAN's sustainable development. Therefore, the event will have a separate discussion session on the role of youth in shaping the region's future.
For his part, Dr. Nguyen Hung Son, President of the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam, also stated that AFF 2026 will not only invite youth to participate in main discussion sessions but also organize a separate forum for ASEAN youth. This will be a space for young people to exchange and propose initiatives related to green entrepreneurship, AI application in daily life, environmental protection, and cultural connectivity. These initiatives will be compiled and sent to ASEAN policymakers.
Moreover, a notable new feature of AFF 2026 is the participation of leaders from major cities in ASEAN. According to Dr. Nguyen Hung Son, in the context of rapid urbanization, cities are becoming economic growth drivers, innovation centers, and cultural hubs of the region. Connecting cities like Hanoi, Bangkok, Jakarta, Manila, or Singapore will contribute to forming a practical cooperation network on smart urban management, green transportation, waste management, and sustainable development. As the host, Hanoi will share its experience in building a smart city based on a combination of cultural heritage and technological innovation.
An important diplomatic channel
In response to a question about the significance of diverse participation from high-level leaders, businesses, scholars, and youth at AFF 2026, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Manh Cuong noted that this is the Forum's philosophy: Building a “bottom-up” and “inside-out” process.
According to the Deputy Minister, the participation of various stakeholders will help ASEAN gain a more comprehensive view of challenges and opportunities. Businesses will discuss real barriers in business, scholars will provide strategic analyses, while citizens and youth will share their expectations and practical needs. This helps policies to be more realistic and feasible.
In the context of increasing strategic competition and geopolitical instability, Deputy Minister Nguyen Manh Cuong affirmed that AFF 2026 will be an important 1.5 and Track 2 diplomatic channel, contributing to fostering a mindset of cooperation rather than confrontation.
The gathering of major partners such as the US, China, Japan, Republic of Korea, and the EU to discuss common issues with ASEAN, such as AI, energy security, or climate change, will continue to affirm ASEAN's central role in the regional structure while strengthening ASEAN's common voice on peace, cooperation, and respect for international law.
 |
| Dr. Nguyen Hung Son, President of the Diplomatic Academy, answers questions from the press. (Photo: Thanh Long) |
Additionally, Dr. Nguyen Hung Son highlighted that AFF 2026 will focus on four core themes: (i) AI and digital technology, (ii) energy security, (iii) climate change, and (iv) enhancing skills and adaptability of people in the face of global economic fluctuations.
 |
| Reporters ask questions at the press conference. (Photo: Thanh Long) |
Another highlight emphasized by the organizers is the first-time thematic discussion session with the participation of more than 10 political parties in the region. Deputy Minister Nguyen Manh Cuong noted that this is a concrete step in realizing Vietnam's policy of combining Party diplomacy, state diplomacy, and people-to-people diplomacy. In many Southeast Asian countries, political parties play an important role in national policy-making. Therefore, creating a space for political parties to exchange views on a common vision for ASEAN will contribute to building broader consensus within each country, thereby promoting more sustainable regional cooperation.
 |
| Delegates attend the opening session of the 2nd ASEAN Future Forum (AFF) in 2025. (Photo: VGP) |
Regarding participants, Deputy Minister Nguyen Manh Cuong stated that approximately 3-4 ASEAN heads of state have confirmed their attendance at AFF 2026. Additionally, the Forum will gather leaders of international organizations, ministers, deputy ministers from many partner countries, along with numerous scholars, businesses, and youth representatives in the region.
