In his remarks, Chinh welcomed delegates to the forum which he said takes place in a context that the world and the Asia-Pacific region are undergoing profound transformations, marked by intertwined challenges and opportunities.

Global issues affecting all nations and people are evolving faster, becoming more complex and unpredictable, said the PM, highlighting such issues as political polarization, an aging population, resource depletion, market and supply chain diversification, the green transformation of business and services, and the digitalization of human activities.

These challenges present difficult questions, but they also offer rare opportunities for ASEAN to assert its position and make breakthroughs, stressed.

The PM emphasized that, ASEAN, which was founded nearly 60 years ago with just five member states, has now become a community of ten nations united in diversity. It is the world’s fifth-largest economy, one of the fastest growing regions, and a central player in regional and global integration processes. ASEAN serves as a bridge for dialogue and cooperation for peace and development in the region, actively contributing to shaping the global order.

As ASEAN enters a new phase of development, he said, it is projected to become the world’s third largest economy, with a GDP exceeding US$10 trillion and a consumer market of over 800 million people. It is also expected to emerge as a center for technology, digital economy, and innovation, with its digital economy anticipated to reach US$1 trillion by 2030.

To realize this vision, ASEAN needs not only consensus and solidarity but also breakthrough thinking, sharp strategic planning, feasible roadmaps, concentrated resources, and decisive actions.

In this spirit, the Prime Minister proposed three strategic priorities, focusing on solidarity, resilience and identity. In his view, ASEAN needs to enhance its solidarity and central role to maintain its strategic resilience.

A strategically resilient ASEAN is one that is cohesive and united while maintaining balance and flexibility in external relations, actively contributing to shaping regional order and fostering global solidarity and cooperation, said Chinh.

He stressed the need for ASEAN to build an economically resilient community, by renewing traditional growth drivers and promoting new ones, particularly science-technology, innovation, and digital transformation.

ASEAN must lead in digital transformation, green and circular economy development, and renewable energy while deeply integrating into global supply chains to become a strategic production hub for the world, he stressed.

At the same time, Chinh underscored the importance of preserving ASEAN’s core values and identity, including consensus, harmony, and unity in diversity while respecting differences, saying these principles should not only be upheld but also shared and expanded as a common code of conduct in international relations.

In addition, the Vietnamese Prime Minister proposed three breakthrough actions to realise the bloc’s development goals.

Accordingly, he said, ASEAN should establish a more flexible, effective, and accountable decision-making mechanism, especially for strategic initiatives to drive breakthroughs. The group should enhance Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) to mobilize resources for regional development, by prioritizing key projects and encouraging greater private sector engagement in total social investment.

It’s important to reduce trade barriers and traditional restrictions while creating a safe and intelligent digital economic environment to facilitate trade and investment in ASEAN, he suggested.

Last but not least, the Vietnamese PM proposed strengthening connectivity, primarily infrastructure connectivity, people-to-people exchanges, and institutional harmonization to streamline cooperation efforts.

ASEAN must adapt flexibly, effectively, and appropriately to the changing landscape to mobilize resources for development, stressed the PM, adding public investment should lead private investment and activate all social resources for development.

In his view, ASEAN’s connectivity, within the bloc and with the wider world, must be enhanced through seamless infrastructure, open institutions, and smart governance and human resources.

The ASEAN Future Forum is an initiative announced by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh at the 43rd ASEAN Summit in 2024. As a high-level multilateral platform (Track 1.5 diplomacy), the forum brings together leaders, experts, scholars, and businesses from ASEAN and beyond to discuss and propose new initiatives for ASEAN’s future development and enhance cooperation between ASEAN and its partners.

This initiative has received widespread support from ASEAN member states and international partners, as demonstrated by the success of the inaugural AFF 2024.

ASEAN Future Forum 2025 opens in Hanoi

VOV.VN - The second ASEAN Future Forum (AFF 2025) opened in Hanoi on February 25 on the theme of “Building a United, Inclusive, and Resilient ASEAN Amidst Global Transformations.”