In his remarks, the Vietnamese Party chief highlighted ASEAN’s achievements over the past six decades, underscoring the bloc’s crucial role in maintaining peace, stability, and cooperation in the region. He also addressed the new challenges and opportunities facing ASEAN in a world transitioning towards multipolarity, driven by scientific and technological advancements that are reshaping socio-economic life, along with increasing non-traditional security threats such as climate change and cyber security.

To further strengthen ASEAN and reinforce its centrality in the regional architecture, he outlined key strategic directions, emphasizing the need for innovative thinking and bold strategies to enhance regional connectivity and cooperation. He called for strengthened intra-bloc solidarity, strategic autonomy, and economic resilience through innovative development solutions. Additionally, he highlighted the importance of promoting ASEAN’s identity, improving norm-setting mechanisms, and enhancing the efficiency of the ASEAN Secretariat and its specialized agencies.

Reaffirming Vietnam’s strong commitment to ASEAN, he noted that the bloc remains a cornerstone of Vietnam's foreign policy and an integral part of its development and integration strategy. He emphasized that ASEAN has provided a key platform for Vietnam to expand its international engagement, establish diplomatic ties with 194 countries, and build strategic partnerships with 35 nations, including all ASEAN members and key partners.

Vietnam is now an active member of more than 70 regional and international forums and organizations, and has signed free trade agreements (FTAs) with over 60 countries and economies worldwide.

This has positioned the country among the world's 40 largest economies and the top 20 in terms of foreign investment attraction and trade scale. The Party leader affirmed Vietnam’s readiness to make more proactive contributions to global politics, the world economy, and human civilization.

He stressed that ASEAN, as a multilateral cooperation mechanism of direct and strategic significance, will continue to receive Vietnam's dedicated support. He affirmed Vietnam’s commitment to contributing actively to ASEAN’s common affairs through creative thinking, innovative approaches, flexible and effective implementation, and decisive actions.

In his speech, ASEAN Secretary-General Dr Kao Kim Hourn, along with ambassadors and heads of delegations from several member countries and partners, as well as a representative of the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA), highly valued Vietnam's proactive and constructive role in ASEAN over the past 30 years.

The ambassadors expressed appreciation for General Secretary To Lam’s policy speech, recognizing his insightful perspectives and Vietnam’s vision for ASEAN. The ASEAN Secretary-General and diplomats acknowledged Vietnam's significant contributions to the ASEAN Community-building process, particularly during its three chairmanship tenures. They also praised Vietnam’s efforts in fostering economic and trade cooperation within ASEAN and beyond, advancing innovative initiatives, addressing global challenges, and playing an active role in maintaining regional peace and stability.

Representatives expressed confidence that, under the leadership of General Secretary To Lam, Vietnam will continue to grow and flourish and serve as a key driving force in advancing ASEAN’s development in the new era.

Following the ceremony, Vietnamese artists staged a special art performance to commemorate the milestone anniversary.

Party chief’s trip to enhance cooperation with Indonesia, Singapore, ASEAN: official

Party General Secretary To Lam’s state visit to Indonesia, official visit to the ASEAN Secretariat based in the country, and official visit to Singapore from March 9-13 will lay the foundation and open new spaces of cooperation for Vietnam's relations with the two countries, and ASEAN.