Foreign Minister Le Hoai Trung’s AMMR 2026 participation reaffirms ASEAN as strategic priority: Ambassador
WVR - Ambassador, Head of the Permanent Mission of Vietnam to ASEAN, Ton Thi Ngoc Huong emphasized that Foreign Minister Le Hoai Trung's participation in AMMR 2026 reaffirms Vietnam's view of ASEAN as a strategic priority in its foreign policy and as an essential space for cooperation for peace, stability, and sustainable development in the region.
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| General Secretary Tô Lâm delivers a policy speech at the ASEAN Secretariat on March 10, 2025. (Photo: Tuấn Anh) |
On the occasion of Politburo Member and Foreign Minister Le Hoai Trung attending the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Retreat (AMMR) and related meetings from January 28-29 in Cebu, Philippines, Ambassador, Head of the Permanent Mission of Vietnam to ASEAN, Ton Thi Ngoc Huong, in an interview with The World & Vietnam Report, highlighted the key points of this AMMR agenda and Vietnam's role.
Could the Ambassador share about the mechanism of the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Retreat and the context of this year's meeting?
The ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Retreat (AMMR) is ASEAN's first major foreign event each year, shaping the cooperation orientation for the entire Association during the Chairmanship year. Here, the Chairing country will inform about its priorities and discuss with member countries to agree on implementation directions. The meeting is also an opportunity for Ministers to frankly exchange views on regional and international issues and ways to enhance coordination of positions within ASEAN.
AMMR 2026 takes place amidst ASEAN facing intertwined challenges and opportunities, with challenges being more prevalent. These include inherent intra-regional issues of maintaining growth momentum, strengthening integration, especially economically, bringing tangible benefits to the people, maintaining unity and consensus in action, addressing regional security hotspots, transnational challenges, major power strategic competition, along with longstanding sovereignty and territorial issues...
The advantages are the high commitment of member countries to ASEAN, the long-term vision approved for the next 20 years until 2045, clear plans and directions, expanded development space after Timor Leste's accession, and the attention and importance placed by partner countries, including major powers, due to ASEAN's significant geopolitical position and achievements over nearly six decades.
The year 2026, under the Philippines' Chairmanship, marks the start of implementing the ASEAN Community Vision 2045, the 50th anniversary of ASEAN's adoption of the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation (TAC) in Southeast Asia, one of ASEAN's foundational documents, and the first year ASEAN operates with 11 members. It will be a crucial transition for ASEAN to demonstrate its value and role amidst increasingly complex and unpredictable regional and global changes, as multilateralism faces unprecedented challenges and power-based politics tends to dominate.
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| Member of the Party Central Committee's Secretariat, Foreign Minister Le Hoai Trung meets ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, January 14, 2026. (Photo: Thanh Long) |
Could the Ambassador share the significance of Foreign Minister Le Hoai Trung's participation in this meeting and Vietnam's role?
Foreign Minister Le Hoai Trung's participation in AMMR 2026 holds special significance. This is his first external diplomatic activity as a Politburo Member following the successful outcomes of the 14th National Party Congress, implementing the country's important foreign policy orientations in the new phase.
At the meeting, the Minister will inform ASEAN countries about the major foreign policy outcomes and directions of the Congress, reaffirming Vietnam's consistent foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, peace, friendship, cooperation, and development. This is also an opportunity for Vietnam to reaffirm its long-term commitment to ASEAN, viewing ASEAN as a strategic priority in its foreign policy and as an essential space for cooperation for peace, stability, and sustainable development in the region.
The year 2026 marks 40 years of the country's renewal and international integration, including 30 years as an active, proactive, and responsible member of ASEAN. Over the past 30 years, Vietnam has successfully undertaken many ASEAN responsibilities, including three ASEAN Chairmanships during pivotal years 2001, 2010, and 2020, along with many other rotational duties. Currently, Vietnam serves as the Coordinator for ASEAN-New Zealand and ASEAN-United Kingdom dialogue partnerships. We also contribute significantly to developing ASEAN's development directions and long-term vision, which are positively recognized and highly appreciated by ASEAN countries and partners. Vietnam has always been a constructive and responsible voice, working with member countries to strengthen solidarity, unity, narrow differences, and uphold ASEAN's role and voice in addressing complex issues arising both internally and externally.
With the country's new position, high commitment to ASEAN, and deep vision, experience, and understanding of multilateral diplomacy and ASEAN, the Foreign Minister will continue to enhance Vietnam's role and participation in ASEAN, for a united, strong, sovereign, and resilient ASEAN, for peace, stability, cooperation, and sustainable development in the region and the world.
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| Ambassador, Head of the Permanent Mission of Vietnam to ASEAN, Ton Thi Ngoc Huong. (Source: Vietnam Mission to ASEAN) |
What are the priority contents of the Philippines' Chairmanship in ASEAN 2026, and what are the highlights of this AMMR agenda, Ambassador?
The Philippines enters the ASEAN Chairmanship year 2026 with the mission to join ASEAN countries in initiating concrete efforts to implement the ASEAN Community Vision 2045 and effectively respond to the rapidly changing regional and international environment. The theme "Steering a Shared Future Together" along with three major priorities: strengthening the "anchor" of peace – security, expanding prosperity corridors, and promoting people's empowerment reflect the primary concerns about maintaining regional stability and ensuring prosperity for the people, shared by all ASEAN member countries.
According to the usual practice of AMMR meetings, ASEAN Foreign Ministers will specifically exchange and agree on ways to concretize ASEAN's major priorities and directions in 2026, in line with the long-term goals set out in the Community Vision 2045.
On the political – security pillar, the Chair's priority is to promote dialogue and uphold international law; enhance resilience against new security challenges; and particularly focus on maritime cooperation, including efforts to complete substantive and effective negotiations on the Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC) in accordance with international law, meeting the concerns and interests of the parties.
In the economic pillar, the main goal is to accelerate the implementation of signed regional economic integration agreements, promote integration and support small businesses, while expanding cooperation into new areas such as high technology, artificial intelligence (AI), space technology, semiconductors, and strategic mineral exploitation – sectors considered new growth drivers for the region.
For the socio-cultural pillar, people-centeredness has always been a concern of the Philippines during ASEAN Chairmanship terms, focusing on empowering people, promoting innovation, enhancing digital skills, and ensuring food security. Notably, AI cooperation is seen as a priority across all three pillars to support digital economic development, increase competitiveness, and help ASEAN adapt more effectively to emerging challenges.
Regarding external relations, ASEAN will intensify efforts to deepen and enhance the effectiveness of relations with partners, determining ways to coordinate and leverage partner support and cooperation for ASEAN's peace, stability, and development goals, as well as jointly addressing regional and global issues.
Simultaneously, at this meeting, Ministers will discuss strategic issues impacting peace, security, and stability in the region, such as the South China Sea situation, Myanmar situation, Thailand – Cambodia relations, major power strategic competition..., thereby agreeing on ASEAN's decisions and actions, enhancing ASEAN's central role in addressing challenges facing the region in the coming period.
For Vietnam, as affirmed by General Secretary To Lam during his official visit to the ASEAN Secretariat on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of Vietnam's participation in ASEAN, we always value ASEAN, are proud of ASEAN's contributions to the world, and proud of ASEAN's strong development; Vietnam will continue to contribute its utmost to the common development of the ASEAN Community and ASEAN's great goals.
Thank you, Ambassador!
