A self-reliant, connected and far-reaching ASEAN

The 57th ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting and Related Meetings in Vientiane, Laos have concluded. Authorized by Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son, Deputy Foreign Minister Do Hung Viet, Head of ASEAN SOM of Vietnam attended the meetings and responded to the results of the Vietnamese delegation's participation.

Một ASEAN tự cường, kết nối và vươn tầm rộng lớn

Deputy Foreign Minister Do Hung Viet, Head of ASEAN SOM Vietnam.

Could you please tell us the main results of the 57th ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting (AMM-57) and related meetings?

Taking place over 4 days with 20 activities, the 57th AMM and related conferences left many impressions on a connected and resilient ASEAN. Countries highly appreciated the leadership role of the Lao Chair, supporting ASEAN's focuses and priorities in 2024.

In terms of connectivity, connectivity is clearly reflected in each activity. Countries promote solidarity and trust as prerequisites to ensure ASEAN's success. For Vietnam, this conference is also a sincere and moving sentiment of the countries for us at a time when the whole country mourns and remembers General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong. The condolence statement of ASEAN Senior Leaders on July 24 is a profound and meaningful proof.

In the relationship between ASEAN and its partners, cohesion is demonstrated through efforts to expand cooperation in areas such as digital economy, green transformation, supply chain resilience, as well as enhancing regional connectivity in terms of infrastructure, institutions and people. In that direction, many documents and initiatives were promoted on this occasion such as the ASEAN-UK Foreign Ministers’ Statement on Enhancing Connectivity, the ASEAN-India Digital Future Fund, the Green Initiative and the ASEAN-EU Sustainable Connectivity Package, etc.

The conferences also clearly demonstrated the efforts to promote ASEAN's connectivity and broader reach. ASEAN's principles and standards of conduct continued to be promoted, affirming ASEAN's role and contributions both in the region and in the world. The ASEAN Future Forum 2024 hosted by Vietnam in April 2024 was highly appreciated by countries, not only contributing to efforts to strengthen regional connectivity, but also contributing to the United Nations Future Summit in September, linking the common interests of the region with the common interests of the world.

Regarding self-reliance, countries emphasized the strategic significance of enhancing self-reliance in the current complex and unpredictable context. Increasing strategic competition between major powers, complicated developments in many places, the emergence of many global issues as well as the appearance of many new technologies, have multi-dimensional impacts on the region, the country and the lives of the people.

The answer to all the issues that are being raised lies in the two words “self-reliance”, which is also the ability and capacity of ASEAN to overcome all the fluctuations of the times. Self-reliance to proactively respond to challenges, self-reliance to be ready to welcome opportunities, and self-reliance to always be brave in the face of all difficulties. With that important meaning, “self-reliance” and “connection” will be shown throughout the Cooperation Strategies to implement the ASEAN Community Vision 2045.

Deputy Foreign Minister Do Hung Viet (5th from left) attends the 25th ASEAN+3 Foreign Ministers' Meeting.

Deputy Minister, please tell us about the contributions of the Vietnamese delegation at the Conference.

As our Senior Leaders have repeatedly affirmed, Vietnam supports and assists Laos in assuming the responsibility of ASEAN Chair 2024. In that spirit, the Vietnamese delegation participates in these Conferences with a proactive, positive, and responsible attitude, contributing to the common work.

Firstly, consolidating the process of building the ASEAN Community, completing the 2025 Master Plans on time and moving towards the Cooperation Strategies to 2045. On this occasion, we announced that we will organize a Regional Consultation on reviewing the 2025 Master Plans to draw lessons and improve the quality of implementation in the coming time. Our plan to continue implementing the ASEAN Future Forum 2025 initiative in Vietnam has received attention and acceptance from other countries.

Second, together with ASEAN countries and partners, we review and orient our relations. We focus on exploiting the still large space for cooperation, focusing on areas that are in line with the common interests of the countries and current major trends. In particular, we attach importance to economic cooperation, effectively utilize FTAs, promote new growth drivers, and diversify forms of people-to-people exchanges. We also ask partners to actively participate and contribute to regional cooperation, promote dialogue, trust, and respect ASEAN's central role.

Third, shaping the direction for ASEAN in the context of current instability, insecurity, uncertainty and uncertainty. Accordingly, we have proposed an approach for ASEAN based on four elements: strategic vision, solid solidarity, central role and concrete actions. Together with other countries, we have affirmed ASEAN's principled stance on international and regional issues, emphasized the need to fully and effectively implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea and create a favorable environment for negotiations on a Code of Conduct in the East Sea that is high-quality, effective, substantive and in accordance with international law, especially the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, and called on partners to support ASEAN's stance on the East Sea as well as ASEAN's efforts to build the East Sea into a sea of peace, stability, cooperation and sustainable development.

On this occasion, the Vietnamese delegation had bilateral meetings with many countries to discuss issues of mutual concern and promote cooperation in many fields.

The 57th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting and Related Meetings have concluded, continuing to solidify the foundation of regional cooperation. This is also an important preparation step towards the 44th and 45th ASEAN Summits and Related Meetings to be held in October this year in Vientiane, Laos.

Thank you very much, Deputy Minister!

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