On 8 August 1967, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) was established, initiating a process of deeper integration for peace, stability and development in the region. At the age of 57, ASEAN is increasingly asserting its vitality, brand and central role.

Forms of regional cooperation

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) was founded on 8 August 1967, currently comprising 10 member states: Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines, Singapore, Malaysia, Brunei, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar and Cambodia (Timor-Leste is in the process to be admitted as an official member). ASEAN's creation 57 years ago reflected a common aspiration by many countries in the region for peace, stability, friendship and cooperation. economic From a population of roughly 260 million at its inception, ASEAN is now home to more than 650 million people and a market with great potential. It's projected that by 2050, ASEAN will be the world's fourth-largest economy.

Underpinning the successes of nearly six decades have been ASEAN's intra-bloc cooperation mechanisms implemented through treaties, forums, conferences, projects, development programmes, the building of an ASEAN Free Trade Area and cultural activities -sports In particular, ASEAN has promoted and led the establishment of the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), East Asia Summit (EAS), Defence Ministers' Meeting (ADMM) and Expanded Defense Ministers' Conference (ADMM+), making an increasingly important contribution to addressing common regional issues. This is reflected in Asean's firm stance on maintaining peace and stability over the South China Sea and the region, as evidenced by its 2002 Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) and negotiations on a Code of Conduct for the South Pacific Ocean (COC) that are expected to be completed soon, along with many other key developments.

ASEAN's most important achievement over the past 57 years has been ensuring peace and stability in Southeast Asia, with member states building ever-better cooperative relationships.

In particular, the ASEAN Community has entered its ninth year of formation and development since 31 December 2015 and is on a journey to realize Vision 2025 and build the post-2025 ASEAN Community Vision.PoliticallyAccordingly, ASEAN focuses on enhancing institutional capacity and promoting cooperation in the current major trends such as inclusive recovery, sustainable development, digital transformation, circular economy etc. In addition, ASEAN has also established quite close cooperative relations with many important countries and organizations around the world, including all large nations. To date there have been 94 Ambassador partners at ASEAN, 54 Asean Committees in Third Countries and International Organizations (ACTCs) set up. There are 11 dialogue initiators (including China, Japan, South Korea, India, Russia, Australia, USA, Canada, European Union (EU) and UK), 4 dialogues in four areas of security/development cooperation, to promote regional stability, prevent conflicts, foster confidence-building, encourage peaceful co-operation through ASEAN institutions and other partnerships.

Now, ASEAN is preparing to enter a new stage of development, after the completion of the implementation of ASEAN Community Vision 2025, in the context the world The new situation poses many big questions for ASEAN now and in the future, namely how can ASEAN maintain its central role, adapt to regional and world changes; how to balance between development renewal with maintaining ASEAN's core values. . However, ASEAN leaders recognize that challenges as well as opportunities brought about by the geopolitical environment could be a basis for ASEAN building a post-2025 vision truly relevant and responsive to the growth of the ASEAN Community. Recently, at the 42nd ASEAN Summit held in Labuan Bajo township, East Nusa Tenggara province of Indonesia (May 2023), ASEAN member leaders approved Timor-Leste accession pathway.

Vietnam - prominent contributions and footprints in ASEAN

Vietnam officially joined the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) on 28/7/1995. For nearly 30 years, along with ASEAN, Vietnam has always made efforts to contribute actively and responsibly for a strong, united ASEAN in the region and the world. Since joining the common house until now, as a member, as well as assuming the responsibilities of the association, Viet Nam has always affirmed its pivotal role, guiding and contributing to the development of ASEAN. and diplomacy Promoting its role as a nucleus to promote unity, soon after joining ASEAN, Vietnam actively promoted the inclusion of Laos, Myanmar (1997) and Cambodia (1999). This effort contributed to realizing the idea of an ASEAN including all 10 Southeast Asian countries, creating a new transformation in substance for ASEAN and the regional situation at that time.

Vietnam's outstanding contributions can be counted on its three times assuming the role of ASEAN Chairman (in 1998, 2010 and 2020). City of HanoiAs ASEAN Chairman in 2010, with the aim of further promoting the realization of ASEAN Vision into action, Vietnam's Presidency marked important decisions such as adopting the first Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity (MPAC 2015); expanding the East Asia Summit Mechanism (EAS) to include Russia and the United States as well as forming a defense cooperation framework between ASEAN and its Partners through ADMM+ mechanism. In particular, in the context of ASEAN preparing to enter a new stage of development, at the 43rd ASEAN High-Level Meeting in Indonesia in September 2023, Vietnam proposed an initiative to host the ASEAN Future Forum in order to complement the Association's formal forums and mechanisms, create opportunities for broad exchange of ideas, initiatives on regional cooperation, contribute to building a self-reliant and sustainable ASEAN Community. Vietnam's commitment to ASEAN is consistent and continuous. It can be affirmed that during the past 29 years since joining ASEAN, Vietnam has rapidly integrated, participated in all areas of cooperation with ASEAN and made active contributions to maintaining intra-bloc unity, strengthening cooperation between member countries as well as among ASEAN partners, contributing no small contribution to the development and public development of ASEAN.