Finalizing preparations for the 48th ASEAN Summit in Cebu
WVR - On May 7, in Cebu, Philippines, a series of ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meetings took place to prepare for the 48th ASEAN Summit. These included the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting, the 31st ASEAN Political-Security Community (APSC) Council Meeting, the 38th ASEAN Coordinating Council (ACC) Meeting, and the Joint ASEAN Foreign and Economic Ministers' Meeting (AMM-AEM).
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| The 31st ASEAN Political-Security Community (APSC) Council Meeting. (Photo: Chu Van) |
Authorized by Politburo Member and Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Dang Hoang Giang, Head of SOM ASEAN-Vietnam, led the Vietnamese delegation to attend the meetings.
The meetings discussed and completed all preparations for the 48th ASEAN Summit scheduled for May 8. 2026.
Amidst the constantly changing international and regional landscape, the ministers agreed that the 48th ASEAN Summit is an opportunity for ASEAN to affirm its determination to unite, enhance cooperation, maintain the momentum of Community building, and strengthen ASEAN's autonomy and central role. They also set out comprehensive and effective strategies to address emerging challenges.
Discussing the global and regional situation, the Ministers shared concerns about the negative impacts of tensions in the Middle East on the region, particularly the severe effects on regional energy security, food security, and the safety of ASEAN citizens living and working in the Middle East.
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| ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting. (Photo: Chu Van) |
The ministers acknowledged that ASEAN's specialized agencies, such as those in diplomacy, economy, energy, and agriculture-forestry, have urgently coordinated and agreed on various directions and response measures.
Given the comprehensive and multi-dimensional nature of the impacts, the ministers agreed that ASEAN needs to develop an overall response strategy, including immediate measures and ways to enhance collective autonomy and resilience to be ready for future crises and challenges.
Accordingly, the ministers agreed to recommend that the senior leaders adopt a Declaration on ASEAN's Response to the Middle East Crisis. They also agreed on the need to strengthen inter-sectoral and inter-pillar coordination, including the Foreign-Economic Ministers' channel, in addressing challenges and implementing the directives of the senior leaders.
Regarding ASEAN cooperation, in the first year of implementing the Community Vision 2045 and strategic cooperation plans across pillars, the ministers agreed that ASEAN needs to strive to overcome difficulties and build on the achievements of the Vision 2025 implementation. They emphasized the need to effectively implement agreed priorities and measures, prioritizing the exploitation of new growth drivers and promoting inclusive, sustainable development...
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| ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting. (Photo: Chu Van) |
Specialized agencies need to quickly integrate and concretize the strategic goals and measures outlined in the Community Vision 2045 and strategic plans into specific plans and actions. At the national level, member countries need to strengthen the alignment of their development goals and priorities with those of ASEAN.
The Ministers also appreciated Timor-Leste's commitment and determination to fulfill its member obligations and responsibilities, affirming their commitment to supporting Timor-Leste's full and effective integration into ASEAN's cooperation programs and mechanisms.
To facilitate development, the ministers continued to emphasize the importance of maintaining a peaceful and stable environment in the region, upholding international law and multilateralism.
Accordingly, ASEAN will implement activities to promote the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC) on the 50th anniversary of its signing, improving and enhancing the effectiveness of dialogue and cooperation mechanisms and forums.
At the meetings, the Ministers also reviewed issues related to external relations and discussed international and regional issues of mutual concern.
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| Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Dang Hoang Giang attending the meetings. (Photo: Chu Van) |
Speaking at the meetings, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Dang Hoang Giang praised the preparations by the host country, the Philippines, affirming that Vietnam will closely coordinate with the Philippines and other member countries to ensure the success of the 48th ASEAN Summit.
In the context of rapidly and increasingly complex global and regional developments, Deputy Minister Dang Hoang Giang emphasized that ASEAN must maintain unity and adhere to the goals, priorities, and directions outlined in the Community Vision 2045. He stressed the need to implement decisive and synchronized measures to effectively address challenges through enhanced inter-sectoral and inter-pillar coordination.
Accordingly, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Dang Hoang Giang appreciated ASEAN countries' support for Vietnam's initiative to develop a comprehensive response framework for ASEAN, with many specific actions and measures included in the ASEAN Leaders' Declaration on the Response to the Middle East Crisis.
Simultaneously, Deputy Minister Dang Hoang Giang suggested that ASEAN continue to strengthen cooperation to maintain regional peace and security, emphasizing dialogue, cooperation, adherence to international law, and common norms and principles.
In the economic field, ASEAN needs to deepen intra-regional trade and investment cooperation while enhancing cooperation with partners within the framework of signed agreements. Particularly, ASEAN member countries need to make greater efforts to implement agreed commitments, including completing internal procedures to bring signed agreements and treaties into effect soon.
*Also on May 7, preparatory meetings of the ASEAN Economic Ministers' channel took place to review preparations, finalize reports, and documents within the Economic pillar to present at the 48th ASEAN Summit.
