ASEAN–Russia SOM in Kazan prepares for 35th Anniversary ASEAN-Russia Summit
WVR - On April 20-21, the 22nd ASEAN-Russia Senior Officials' Meeting (SOM) took place in Kazan, Russian Federation, attended by Deputy Foreign Ministers/Senior Officials from 11 ASEAN member countries and Russia. Deputy Foreign Minister Dang Hoang Giang, Head of the ASEAN-Vietnam SOM, led the Vietnamese delegation at the meeting.
Latest
 |
| ASEAN-Russia relations continue to develop positively in all aspects. (Photo: Bao Chi) |
In his opening remarks, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko, Head of the ASEAN-Russia SOM, affirmed that Russia always values ASEAN and the Strategic Partnership with ASEAN, supporting the regional structure with ASEAN playing a central role.
Emphasizing that 2026 marks an important milestone celebrating 35 years of ASEAN-Russia relations (1991-2026), Deputy Minister Rudenko suggested that both sides should strive to build on the achievements and further develop the ASEAN-Russia Strategic Partnership in the future.
Reviewing the cooperation situation over the past period, the meeting acknowledged that ASEAN-Russia relations continue to develop positively in all aspects. The implementation rate of the ASEAN-Russia Action Plan for 2021-2025 (extended until the end of 2026) reached 82%, with many specific results.
In particular, political-security cooperation has been increasingly strengthened through maintaining high-level dialogues, Russia's active participation and contributions to ASEAN-led mechanisms and forums, as well as joint cooperation plans in areas such as combating transnational crime, information technology security, and drug prevention...
Economic relations continue to be consolidated through work programs on trade and investment between the two sides as well as between ASEAN and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU). Russia continues to affirm its position as an important partner of ASEAN in areas such as energy security and food security...
Numerous cultural, educational, academic cooperation activities, and people-to-people exchanges have also been implemented to enhance understanding between ASEAN countries and Russia, including organizing youth summits and young diplomat exchanges...
ASEAN countries welcomed and supported Russia's proposal to organize the 35th Anniversary ASEAN-Russia Summit, scheduled for June 17-18 in Kazan; agreeing that the Summit holds significant importance in creating new momentum and setting strategic directions to further promote the ASEAN-Russia Strategic Partnership in the new phase.
ASEAN countries and Russia affirmed their commitment to cooperate and coordinate closely in preparations, including content and documentation, to ensure the success of the Summit.
In the context of rapid global and regional developments, the meeting agreed that ASEAN and Russia need to further develop their relations to match potential and meet the demands of the new situation. Besides continuing to strengthen cooperation in traditional fields, ASEAN and Russia need to expand cooperation into new potential areas such as clean energy, digital transformation, artificial intelligence (AI), and smart cities...
Accordingly, both sides agreed to soon complete the ASEAN-Russia Action Plan for 2026-2030 to create a framework and direction for cooperation in the new phase.
Russia expressed its desire to strengthen cooperation with ASEAN in areas such as information and communication technology security, law enforcement, energy transition, biosafety, aerospace, connectivity and logistics, education, tourism, culture, and youth exchanges...
On this occasion, ASEAN countries and Russia also exchanged views on numerous international and regional issues of mutual concern.
Speaking at the meeting, Deputy Foreign Minister Dang Hoang Giang affirmed that ASEAN always considers Russia as one of its top important partners, playing a crucial role in peace, stability, and development in the region, and suggested that both sides make further efforts to develop relations commensurate with their potential.
Accordingly, Deputy Minister Dang Hoang Giang suggested that ASEAN and Russia further enhance strategic exchanges and coordination at high levels; strengthen cooperation in common priority areas, including cybersecurity, particularly effective cooperation in implementing the Hanoi Convention; actively cooperate within ASEAN-led mechanisms, while expanding to other frameworks such as between ASEAN and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and with BRICS.
Regarding economic-trade, Deputy Minister Dang Hoang Giang suggested that both sides soon complete and implement the ASEAN-Russia Strategic Economic and Investment Program for 2026-2035; enhance ASEAN cooperation with the EAEU, while considering facilitating transportation and logistics for key export items of Russia and ASEAN, thereby minimizing the impact of geographical distance.
Especially in the context of regional energy security facing many challenges, Deputy Minister Dang Hoang Giang suggested that both sides further strengthen cooperation in stable and sustainable energy supply; proposed that the upcoming ASEAN-Russia Anniversary Summit issue a Joint Declaration affirming commitment to cooperation in this field.
In a keynote speech on the topic "Digital Cooperation and Smart Cities", Deputy Minister Dang Hoang Giang proposed making digital cooperation a new pillar in ASEAN-Russia relations by developing a long-term digital cooperation plan, contributing to the implementation of the ASEAN Digital Master Plan for 2026-2030 and effectively leveraging the ASEAN Framework Agreement on Digital Economy expected to be signed this year.
Sharing experiences of cooperation between some Vietnamese cities and Russian cities, the Deputy Minister proposed that both sides study and implement pilot projects on smart urban governance, AI applications, and digital skills training, ensuring they meet the development needs of each locality and bring practical benefits to the people.
On the occasion of attending the ASEAN-Russia Senior Officials' Meeting, Deputy Minister Dang Hoang Giang held a bilateral meeting with Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko to discuss measures to enhance Vietnam-Russia coordination within ASEAN frameworks, as well as the implementation of bilateral agreements reached and preparations for the upcoming high-level visits of leaders from both countries.
