Agree on important contents to be discussed at the 44th and 45th ASEAN Summits and related conferences.

On October 8, in Vientiane, Laos, the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting, the ASEAN Political-Security Community Council and the ASEAN Coordinating Council took place. The Vietnamese delegation led by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son attended the meetings.

Thống nhất nội dung quan trọng sẽ được trao đổi tại Hội nghị cấp cao ASEAN 44, 45 và các Hội nghị liên quan

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son attended and delivered speeches at the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meetings, the ASEAN Political-Security Community Council and the ASEAN Coordinating Council. (Photo: Quang Hoa)

The Foreign Ministers agreed on the agenda and program of activities of the 44th and 45th ASEAN Summits and related Summits.

Accordingly, many important contents will be discussed at these Summits, including measures to promote regional connectivity and self-reliance in the spirit of this year's ASEAN theme, consolidate the process of building the ASEAN Community towards the goal of deeper integration and preparing for ASEAN's higher development in the future, deepen relations with partners on the basis of effectiveness, substance and mutual benefit, and discuss the international and regional situation.

At the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting, the Ministers expressed their deep sympathy and condolences to the countries severely affected by Typhoon Yagi, affirming solidarity and readiness to support these countries in overcoming the consequences and rebuilding.

Appreciating the theme “ASEAN: Promoting Connectivity and Resilience”, the countries congratulated the Lao Chairman on the achievements this year, highlighting the strategic significance of self-reliance and strategic autonomy in the face of current complex and unpredictable changes.

The Ministers acknowledged the new developments in relations between ASEAN and its partners, opening up new potential opportunities. The countries agreed to soon start building action plans for the period 2026-2030 between ASEAN and a number of partners, linking and complementing strategic priorities in the ASEAN Community Vision 2045.

Discussing international and regional issues, the countries expressed concern about the deteriorating situation in Myanmar, reaffirmed the Five-Point Consensus as a document guiding ASEAN's efforts to support Myanmar in finding feasible and sustainable solutions, and emphasized the need to continue efforts to promote dialogue between parties and deploy humanitarian assistance activities.

The countries also agreed to strengthen ASEAN's principled stance on the East Sea issue, affirming the importance of building the East Sea into a sea of peace, stability and prosperity.

Overview of the ASEAN Political-Security Community Council Meeting. (Photo: Quang Hoa)

At the ASEAN Political-Security Community Council Meeting , countries highly appreciated the activities carried out over the past year, raising the implementation rate of the ASEAN Political-Security Master Plan 2025 to 99.6%.

Discussing the development of a political-security cooperation strategy for the new period, the countries highlighted the need to inherit and continue, while emphasizing the need to ensure ASEAN's flexibility and high adaptability in the volatile international and regional security environment, contributing to affirming ASEAN's role and contribution to maintaining peace, security and stability in the region.

In the face of increasingly severe non-traditional security challenges, specialized channels have paid special attention to implementing activities to enhance ASEAN's response capacity and resilience. Accordingly, the Conference noted that many Statements will be submitted to Leaders on this occasion, such as combating illicit drug and chemical precursor trafficking, promoting safe and reliable artificial intelligence, and the public health emergency coordination system.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son speaks. (Photo: Quang Hoa)

At the ASEAN Coordinating Council Meeting , the Ministers reviewed reports from specialized agencies and gave directions on many inter-sectoral and inter-pillar issues. Notably, regarding the implementation of the Roadmap to support Timor-Leste to become a full member of ASEAN, the countries discussed the process of Timor-Leste participating in ASEAN legal documents on the three pillars of politics-security, economy and culture-society, and the establishment of the Timor-Leste Support Unit at the ASEAN Secretariat to help Timor-Leste better prepare for joining ASEAN and the initial stage of regional integration.

Noting the progress in developing the ASEAN Community Vision 2045 Implementation Strategies, the Ministers emphasized the special importance of these documents for ASEAN's future in the coming decades, and urged ASEAN to continue to think creatively with ambitious goals as a driving force for ASEAN to develop faster and stronger. The meeting highly appreciated the success of the Future of ASEAN Forum 2024 held in Vietnam, effectively supporting ASEAN's discussion process.

Speaking at the Conferences, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son highly appreciated the leadership role of the Lao Chair, helping ASEAN overcome challenges and maintain momentum in building the Community. Economic growth remained high, solidarity, centrality were consolidated, strategic autonomy was enhanced, creating a solid foundation for the next stage.

The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister sincerely thanked the countries for their sharing and support for those affected by Typhoon Yagi, including Vietnam, demonstrating the precious value of solidarity and mutual assistance in difficult times, especially emphasizing the urgency of efforts to respond to climate change and enhance climate resilience in the context of increasingly complex developments of extreme weather patterns.

Appreciating the implementation rate of the Community pillars, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister proposed a comprehensive review of the 2025 Master Plans, carefully assessing their impacts to draw lessons and improve the effectiveness and quality of implementation in the coming period.

Expressing support for Timor-Leste to soon become an official member of ASEAN, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister proposed building a specific roadmap for Timor-Leste to join ASEAN legal documents, simplifying procedures for Timor-Leste's participation.

Overview of the ASEAN Coordinating Council Meeting. (Photo: Quang Hoa)

Emphasizing that solidarity and centrality are the keys to ASEAN's success, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister Bui Thanh Son suggested that ASEAN needs to further promote a common voice and maintain a harmonious and balanced approach in implementing foreign relations as well as in issues affecting regional peace and security.

In the face of complicated developments in Myanmar, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister shared common concerns about the unstable situation there as well as the consequences of the increase in transnational crimes, affecting the overall stability in the region; emphasizing that relevant parties in Myanmar need to end violence and make efforts for dialogue for the first and foremost interests of the people of Myanmar.

The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister also proposed that ASEAN needs to ensure continuity and effectiveness in implementing the Five-Point Consensus, promote its central role in supporting Myanmar in finding feasible and sustainable solutions for Myanmar as well as enhancing humanitarian assistance for the people of this country, while optimizing mechanisms and initiatives to support ASEAN's common efforts.

Sharing his views on the East Sea issue, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister reaffirmed the need to fully and effectively implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) and soon reach a substantive and effective Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC) in accordance with international law and the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

Tomorrow (October 9), the 44th and 45th ASEAN Summits and related Summits will open at the Lao National Convention Center.

Also tomorrow, Leaders of ASEAN countries and Timor-Leste will attend plenary sessions, retreat sessions, and dialogue sessions with representatives of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA), the ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ASEAN-BAC) and ASEAN Youth.