ASEAN Future Forum: Vietnam’s concrete contribution for the future of ASEAN
WVR - 'ASEAN Future Forum 2025 reaffirms Vietnam’s commitment not only to contribute in promoting peace, stability, and prosperity in the region, but also in playing a more proactive role in ASEAN', Indonesian Ambassdor to Vietnam Denny Abdi shared with the World and Vietnam Report on the occasion of ASEAN Future Forum 2025.
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| Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh received Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto on his visit to Vietnam in September 2024. (Photo: QT) |
What are your expectations of ASEAN Future Forum 2025 and your assessment of Vietnam’s efforts?
The first ASEAN Future Forum, held in 2024 underlined Vietnam’s efforts and contributions towards promoting unity, resilience and centrality in addressing emerging and future challenges. Under the theme “Toward fast and sustainable growth of a people-centered ASEAN Community”, the forum became a platform for stakeholders to discuss ways to achieve harmony between development and environmental protection, and to ensure that rapid economic growth is not achieved in the expense of sustainability.
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| Indonesian Ambassador to Vietnam Denny Abdi. (Photo: PH) |
The ASEAN Future Forum 2025 builds upon the success of its first iteration. With the theme “Building a united, inclusive, and resilient ASEAN amidst global transformations”, the forum is expected to address key international trends including emerging technologies impacting ASEAN and the world - ensuring that ASEAN thrives amidst global challenges.
As 2025 will mark the completion of the ASEAN Community Vision 2025, this forum is a significant opportunity for ASEAN members and partners to contribute to the process of shaping ASEAN's future development strategy in the short and long term, or otherwise known as the ASEAN Post-2025 Vision.
ASEAN Future Forum 2025 reaffirms Vietnam’s commitment not only to contribute in promoting peace, stability, and prosperity in the region, but also in playing a more proactive role in ASEAN. Building upon the momentum of the 30 years anniversary of Vietnam's ASEAN membership, I believe this forum is a concrete demonstration of Vietnam’s contribution for the future of ASEAN.
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| The 25th ASEAN Plus Three Foreign Ministers's Meeting, on July 27, 2024. (Photo: Bao Chi) |
In the context of the current international fluctuations, what roles does ASEAN play in promoting peace and stability in the region as well as inspiring cooperations and multilateralism globally?
ASEAN was established as a platform to promote dialogue and mutual understanding between its member states that aims to promote peace, stability, and prosperity. To this end, ASEAN has continued to serve its purpose. Since its founding in 1967, ASEAN has significantly contributed to the development of a rules-based and inclusive community in the region.
Once a country joined ASEAN, open conflicts with other ASEAN Member States cease to exist. ASEAN’s role in promoting mutual understanding has fostered peace, and this ecosystem of peace and stability has become the foundation towards economic development and growth in the region.
Today, ASEAN has successfully promoted peaceful co-existence and friendly cooperation in the region. 55 countries have signed the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation (TAC). The TAC serves as a set of fundamental principles to govern regional inter-state relations and promote peace and cooperation based on mutual respect, non-interference principle, and peaceful settlement of disputes.
In addition, ASEAN consistently maintained the South China Sea as a sea of peace and cooperation through the full and effective implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) in 2002 and keep advancing the Code of Conduct (COC) negotiation, while maintaining environment conducive for peaceful resolution of dispute in accordance with International Law, particularly 1982 UNCLOS.
What are your comments on the central role of ASEAN in addressing regional issues, including the South China Sea issue?
The ASEAN Charter has stipulated the purposes of ASEAN. In the political-security spectrum, this includes maintaining peace, security and stability in the region, enhancing regional resilience, and ensuring that the peoples and member states of ASEAN live in peace in a just, democratic, and harmonious environment.
In line with these purposes and to address regional challenges, ASEAN must maintain its centrality and proactive role as the primary driving force in its relations and cooperation with its external partners in a regional architecture that is open, transparent, and inclusive.
I realize that our region is highly complex, it faces numerous issues and one of the most pressing challenges is the South China Sea. In this situation, ASEAN centrality is the key to managing regional conflicts, to ensure that ASEAN’s future is not dictated by the interests of other parties. ASEAN must focus in preserving itself as an independent center of power amid rapidly changing international configurations.
Furthermore, ASEAN countries must continue to prioritize regional cooperation, dialogue, and multilateral frameworks to maintain stability and address disputes peacefully. Particularly in the South China Sea, ASEAN upholds the principles of the UNCLOS as a legal framework for maritime governance and conflict resolution. UNCLOS is essential given the ongoing tensions in the South China Sea, where adherence to UNCLOS is highly important in reducing tension, building mutual trust and paving ways towards peaceful resolution of disputes consistent with UNCLOS.
Maintaining ASEAN's centrality is crucial for effective regional issues management. Member states like Indonesia and Vietnam have been vocal in supporting this centrality. Indonesia has actively engaged in mediating regional disputes, while Vietnam emphasizes ASEAN's role in upholding international law and regional stability.
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| ASEAN leaders at the 44th and 45th ASEAN Summits in Laos in October 2024. (Photo: Nhat Bac) |
What has impressed you the most about Vietnam during its 30-year journey of membership in ASEAN, and what are your expectations regarding Vietnam’s efforts in achieving ASEAN’s strategic goals, including the ASEAN Community Vision 2045?
Vietnam's 30-year journey as a member of ASEAN has been remarkable, marked by its proactive diplomacy, economic growth, and commitment towards regional stability. Since joining ASEAN in 1995, Vietnam has transformed from an emerging economy into one of the region’s most dynamic and influential nations.
Vietnam has introduced significant initiatives to uphold ASEAN’s core principles and maintain its central role in regional peace and development. As ASEAN Chair in 2010 and 2020, Vietnam reinforced the ASEAN’s commitment to rules-based governance, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, where it led ASEAN’s adaptation to virtual diplomacy. Vietnam’s leadership has helped prevent external interference while fostering regional cohesion. Vietnam has also successfully balanced relations with major global powers while advocating for ASEAN’s centrality - further strengthening the ASEAN’s strategic position.
I expect Vietnam to continue playing a leading role in achieving ASEAN’s strategic goals, particularly in shaping a more integrated, resilient, and dynamic ASEAN by 2045. Given its strong track record in regional diplomacy, economic growth, and sustainability efforts, Vietnam is well-positioned to drive key initiatives that align with ASEAN’s long-term vision.
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