On the afternoon of October 17, in Hanoi, in its role as the standing member of the ASEAN Information and Communication Steering Committee, the Ministry of Information and Communications held a training conference to provide information on the situation and orientation of ASEAN cooperation.

The conference aims to provide information, orientation and enrich propaganda content in newspapers, enhance people's understanding of ASEAN cooperation, Vietnam's participation, contribution and integration, and orientation of ASEAN cooperation in the next period.

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Training conference, providing information on the situation and direction of ASEAN cooperation. Photo: Giang Pham

According to Mr. Trieu Minh Long, Director of the Department of International Cooperation (Ministry of Information and Communications), ASEAN is playing an increasingly important role in regional and global cooperation mechanisms, playing a central role in handling and solving many world problems.

Vietnam is an active member of ASEAN and is proactively implementing many cooperation programs and initiatives to enhance the role and position of ASEAN in general and the role of Vietnam in particular, in contributing to the prosperous development of the region and the world.

“ A week ago, the ASEAN summit was successfully held in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic. After this conference, ASEAN is increasingly affirming its position as the center and comprehensive cooperation mechanisms in the region, ” said Director General Trieu Minh Long.

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Mr. Trieu Minh Long, Director of the Department of International Cooperation. Photo: Giang Pham

Sharing about the general context, Mr. Tran Duc Binh, Director of ASEAN Department (Ministry of Foreign Affairs) said that the world and the region are experiencing complex fluctuations, fierce competition between major countries, increasing tensions at hotspots, and the world economy recovering but with many risks.

After 8 years of implementing the ASEAN community building plan, in 2023, ASEAN's GDP increased by 51%, the economic scale reached 3,800 billion USD, ranking 5th in the world. The overall growth rate reached 4.2%.

FDI capital invested in the ASEAN region in 2023 will rank second globally (after the US). The size of the ASEAN economy is expected to rank fourth in the world by 2030. At that time, the size of the ASEAN digital economy is forecast to be 2,000 billion USD.

In the ASEAN cooperation mechanism, there are three basic pillars: political and security pillars, economic pillars and socio-cultural pillars.

According to the Director of the ASEAN Department, the master plan for building the ASEAN community is being implemented evenly across three pillars. The vision of the ASEAN Community in 2045 is “Resilient, dynamic, innovative and people-centered”.

In the general context, ASEAN's role is very important. Partners all affirm that ASEAN is a priority in regional policy, support ASEAN's central role, and work with ASEAN to implement comprehensive cooperation, promote economic connectivity, trade and investment, science, technology, innovation, digital transformation, green transformation, and development of high-quality human resources.

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Mr. Tran Duc Binh, Director of ASEAN Department. Photo: Giang Pham

Ms. Nguyen Viet Chi, Deputy Director of the Multilateral Trade Policy Department (Ministry of Industry and Trade) said that after 29 years of Vietnam's accession, ASEAN has become one of the important multilateral forums.

Amidst the challenges of the global economy, the ASEAN region’s economy continues to show positive signs. The region’s GDP grew by more than 4% last year, and is expected to grow by 4.6% this year and $4.7 billion by 2025.

In terms of trade, China is ASEAN's largest trading partner, followed by the US and the EU. Total foreign direct investment flows into ASEAN in 2023 reached US$229 billion, with the US being the largest investor. Countries in the region have completed 9 out of 14 priority economic initiatives during Laos' ASEAN chairmanship year.

ASEAN is implementing its commitments to international integration, deeper economic integration and further cooperation in intra-bloc trade activities, connecting with external partners to respond to and resolve challenges, and strengthen the regional supply chain. Digital transformation is considered by ASEAN countries as the main growth driver in the coming period.

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