President To Lam received Ambassadors and Chargé d'Affaires of ASEAN countries and Timor-Leste in Hanoi who came to greet and congratulate him on his election as President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, in Hanoi on May 30, 2024. (Source: VOV)

The birth of ASEAN and the historical transformations of the region have brought Southeast Asia beyond the divisions of the past, to become the bright spot of the Asia-Pacific region in terms of solidarity and cooperation, with strategic political and economic stature. The common mission of peace, stability, cooperation and development has united ASEAN member countries and in turn, a united and self-reliant ASEAN always strives to fulfill that mission at new heights.

United in a common mission and vision

“Rivers and mountains do not separate us, but connect us in friendship, cooperation and sharing” [1]. The visions outlined nearly 30 years ago are the foundation and driving force for ASEAN’s cohesion in all three dimensions of time, space and strategy.

Building the ASEAN Community is a continuous process, built up year by year. A politically cohesive, economically integrated and socially responsible Community is the overarching goal enshrined in the ASEAN Charter. Amidst the “ever-changing” times, this goal remains constant, but at different times, with different priorities, ASEAN will concretize it into appropriate orientations according to the trends and movements of each period.

In 2015, also at the time of the birth of the ASEAN Community, the countries adopted the ASEAN Community Vision 2025 with the theme “ASEAN: Forging Ahead Together”, focusing on strengthening connections at different levels from the region to the world.

Less than a decade later, in the context of an increasingly unpredictable, difficult-to-predict and difficult-to-forecast situation, the 2023 ASEAN Summit decided to build a longer-term, more strategic vision for ASEAN. Accordingly, the ASEAN Community Vision 2045 has determined the direction for ASEAN, which is “resilient, dynamic, innovative and people-centered”. These keywords will be the “compass” for ASEAN’s thinking and actions in the coming decades, ensuring the ability to respond proactively and flexibly to all fluctuations.

Self-reliance in a changing world

Having grown and matured through hardships and challenges, ASEAN is a symbol of solidarity, persistent efforts and self-reliance. The global and regional situation is changing rapidly with many new trends and with multi-dimensional, intertwined impacts. This context requires ASEAN to make greater efforts to maintain and promote the achievements of nearly 60 years of cooperation.

Steadfast in economic integration. In a world economic picture with many shades of gray, ASEAN continues to be a bright spot of growth. With a GDP of 3,800 billion USD in 2023, ASEAN is the fifth largest economy in the world and is forecast to rise to fourth by 2030 with the current growth momentum. ASEAN is currently an attractive investment destination, with total FDI reaching 229 billion USD in 2023, surpassing all other developing economies. [2]

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and ASEAN leaders attend the Opening Ceremony and Plenary Session of the 43rd ASEAN Summit on September 5, 2023, in Jakarta, Indonesia. (Photo: Anh Son)

Faced with new development trends, ASEAN has devoted great efforts and determination to pursue breakthrough initiatives. The ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement, the first of its kind in the world, will provide ASEAN with new growth drivers and greater competitive advantages. ASEAN has also emerged as a focal point in the trend of shifting and diversifying supply chains, with strong investment flows in technology and sustainable development areas such as green transformation, digital transformation, electric vehicles, renewable energy, power grids, sustainable infrastructure, etc.

Strong in political and security cooperation. As the “architect” of the regional structure, ASEAN continues to affirm its central role, especially in promoting norms of conduct such as the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC), the Treaty on the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone (SEANWFZ), the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC), etc., as well as enhancing the effectiveness and attractiveness of ASEAN-led mechanisms such as ASEAN+1, ASEAN+3, the East Asia Summit (EAS), and the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF).

The Joint Communiqué of the 57th ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting and many previous Joint Statements such as the Statement dated December 30, 2023 on maintaining and promoting stability of maritime space in Southeast Asia affirmed ASEAN's solidarity, principled stance and common voice on international and regional issues, upholding the rule of law, peacefully resolving disputes on the basis of international law and the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), hoping that partners will support ASEAN's efforts to build the East Sea into a sea of ​​peace, stability, cooperation and sustainable development.

Confidence in the Community identity. Realizing a people-oriented and people-centered ASEAN is the thread that runs through all ASEAN roadmaps and strategies. A series of ASEAN initiatives in recent times such as the Public Health Emergency Coordination System, the Climate Change Center, the Transboundary Haze Pollution Control Center... show that ASEAN is still tirelessly seeking solutions to all the problems that are affecting people's lives.

Although there is still much work to be done, today’s achievements will certainly be widely spread, so that people can feel ASEAN’s dedicated efforts at all levels of cooperation, and have more affection, attachment, support and positive contributions to an increasingly strong Community. These are also the fundamental values ​​that build the identity of the ASEAN Community.

Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son attends the 56th ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting (AMM-56) in Indonesia, July 2023. (Photo: Tuan Anh)

Full trust, full commitment

In 1995, Vietnam officially began the process of cooperation and integration with ASEAN. Starting late and with a low starting point, we must make constant efforts to catch up with the pace and fully participate in all areas of ASEAN cooperation, and more importantly, actively and proactively contribute to that process.

The efforts of the past 29 years have brought us proud achievements, from fulfilling our membership responsibilities well in the early days, to confidently participating in and contributing to shaping ASEAN strategies, and now taking charge of and leading many important processes. Vietnam's position and prestige in ASEAN are the result of the efforts of ministries, sectors, localities, businesses and people. The success of the ASEAN Future Forum 2024 hosted by Vietnam, with the theme "Building a fast-growing, sustainable, people-centered ASEAN Community", is a clear demonstration of Vietnam's role and contribution to the common work of the region and the world.

In the early days of August, in memory of the late General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, a leader who left many precious legacies for the country's foreign affairs, I would like to quote a saying of his about ASEAN: "Vietnam always considers ASEAN as a common home, giving high priority to relations with member countries, harmoniously linking Vietnam's national interests with the interests of the whole region". This close and friendly sentiment will continue to accompany Vietnam on its journey to join ASEAN with the belief and efforts to contribute to a cohesive and self-reliant ASEAN.

[1]. ASEAN Vision 2020, adopted at the 1997 ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur.

[2]. Annual Report 2023 of the ASEAN Secretary-General.