Vietnam's diplomatic initiatives have deepened trust among ASEAN members: Lao Ambassador
Over the last three decades, Vietnam has been an active and committed participant in bolstering ASEAN’s unity, collective decision-making, and central role in the region.
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| On the sidelines of the 58th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son held a bilateral meeting with Lao Minister of Foreign Affairs Thongsavanh Phomvihane on July 8 in Malaysia. (Photo: Quang Hoa) |
Actively contributing to shape ASEAN’s agenda
Since becoming an ASEAN member in 1995, Vietnam has consistently worked to enhance solidarity within the bloc by facilitating dialogue and resolving differences. As a leading member, it has supported ASEAN in maintaining a unified position on key regional matters, helping the organization stay strong amid geopolitical challenges.
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| Lao Ambassador to Viet Nam Khamphao Ernthavanh. (Photo: Anh Duc) |
Vietnam has actively contributed to shaping ASEAN’s agenda, particularly during its ASEAN Chairmanships in 1998, 2010, and 2020. Notably, in 2020, despite Covid-19 pandemic, Viet Nam successfully steered ASEAN toward a cohesive response, adopting the ASEAN Comprehensive Recovery Framework and reinforcing the bloc’s centrality in regional architecture.
Vietnam also championed the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific, promoting inclusivity and ASEAN-led mechanisms. Furthermore, Vietnam has taken in implementing new initiatives to promote cooperation among the ASEAN community by creating the ASEAN Future Forum since 2024 onwards.
Beyond this, Vietnam has helped maintain harmony within ASEAN by mediating disagreements and adhering to principles such as non-interference and peaceful dispute resolution. Its diplomatic initiatives have deepened trust among ASEAN members, ensuring ASEAN remains a cohesive voice in international discussions.
By prioritizing ASEAN centrality, Vietnam has reinforced the bloc’s role in major partnerships, including with China, the U.S., and the EU. Through its contributions, Vietnam has helped ASEAN maintain its relevance as the cornerstone of regional stability and cooperation.
ASEAN way – our guide
In the remarks of the Prime Minister of Malaysia at the Opening Ceremony of the 58th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (AMM), there are some challenges facing ASEAN were highlighted such as tariffs, export restrictions, investment barriers, geopolitical rivalry, and conflicts in many parts of the world.
ASEAN was forged in complexity, yet ASEAN has persevered and preserved peace and expanded prosperity in ways few regions can equal. Prime Minister stressed that ASEAN must therefore continue to uphold the principle of mutual respect, dialogue and the search for consensus. That is the ASEAN way and it remains our guide.
He also stressed the importance of promoting ASEAN Centrality, and ASEAN must remain the region’s primary anchor for dialogue. Furthermore, ASEAN needs to fortify internal foundations, trade more and invest more among ASEAN Member States. ASEAN also needs to advance cooperation that delivers tangible benefits to ASEAN peoples and continue to focus on practical collaboration such as connectivity, food security, digital transformation, education, public health, and climate resilience.
In this regard, I agree with the views expressed by the Prime Minister of Malaysia on how ASEAN can move forward. Those are significant factors for ASEAN to effectively address the current challenges. To effectively address these challenges, it is important for ASEAN to maintain ASEAN’s unity and centrality, ASEAN way of cooperation, and a strong sense of community. ASEAN should prioritize its own centrality in the ASEAN regional architecture, ensuring that it remains a driving force for regional cooperation and integration.
Economically, we (Lao PDR-Vietnam) shall work hand in hand to push for more intra-ASEAN trading and investment. In addition, ASEAN Member States should work together to build trust, mutual understanding, and a sense of shared destiny. This can be achieved through regular dialogue, consultation, cooperation, and people-to-people exchanges.
As for Vietnam, as well as other ASEAN Member States, in my view, we could contribute to the ASEAN’s collective efforts in continuing to promote peace, security and stability in the region, which is an important foundation in order to create favorable conditions to the development of the region.
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| Madame Ngo Phuong Ly, spouse of the General Secretary, and Lao Ambassador Khamphao Ernthavanh (far right) personally wrapped "banh chung" (square sticky rice cakes) to celebrate the traditional Lunar New Year in January 2025. (Photo: Thanh Long) |
Collaborating closely for development of region
The ASEAN Community Vision 2045 is a significant document that reflects the region’s bold aspirations for a resilient, innovative, dynamic and people-centered ASEAN. In this spirit, the Lao PDR and Vietnam are encouraged to further raise ASEAN’s awareness and narrow develop gaps to bring mutual benefits to peoples.
The Vision provides a long-term perspective for ASEAN’s development, outlining the region’s goals and aspirations for the next few decades. It also takes a comprehensive approach to development, covering economic, social, and environmental aspects and emphasizes the importance of innovation, technology, and sustainability in driving growth and development, including people-centered development and the need to narrow the development gap within ASEAN Member States.
We recall the aspiration of ASEAN’s founding principles of building trust, maintaining peace, expanding cooperation and bringing benefits to peoples. Over the past 58 years, ASEAN has made significant achievements because our region continues to enjoy peace and stability.
In this spirit, I am of the view that the aspiration is still relevant as we are implementing the ASEAN Community Vision 2045.
The Lao PDR and Vietnam together with other ASEAN Member States should continue working closely and collaborate in maintaining peace, security and stability, thus creating favorable conditions for the development of the region.
These will also contribute to the implementation of goals set out in the ASEAN Community Vision 2045 and its four Strategic Plans and will bring the Community closer to our peoples in the long run.
