Attending the workshop were Mr. Uong Chu Luu, Chairman of the Vietnam Peace Committee; former leaders; representatives of central ministries, departments, branches, the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations and member organizations of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations.

The workshop brought together 12 speakers who are Vietnamese and international scholars, researchers, and diplomats; with the participation of nearly 100 delegates who are domestic and foreign experts.

Scene of the International Conference “ASEAN in a Changing World: Challenges, Opportunities and Prospects”. (Photo: Dinh Hoa)

Speaking at the opening of the workshop, Mr. Ha Hung Cuong, Chairman of the Vietnam Peace and Development Foundation, said that in recent years, the world and regional situation has changed rapidly, complicatedly and unpredictably. Peace, stability and development are still the common trend, the aspiration of all classes of people in the world, but they are facing many challenges and difficulties.

The Asia-Pacific region has an increasingly important strategic position, in which the peace and security environment in Southeast Asia is facing many complicated developments, with hot spots showing no signs of cooling down. These developments have posed both new opportunities and challenges for ASEAN's central role.

President of the Vietnam Peace and Development Foundation Ha Hung Cuong speaks at the Workshop. (Photo: Dinh Hoa)

Mr. Ha Hung Cuong emphasized that the Vietnam Peace and Development Foundation organized the Workshop with the participation of Vietnamese and international scholars and researchers to analyze the changes in the world and regional situation in 2024; thereby identifying factors affecting regional peace and stability; promoting solutions to maintain long-term peace and stability in the region and promoting the central role of ASEAN.

At the first session “World and regional situation: Opportunities and challenges for ASEAN”, speakers presented papers on the current world and regional situation; global security governance; the role of multilateral institutions and international law; the trend between peace, cooperation and competition and confrontation in current international relations.

Ambassador Le Luong Minh, former Secretary General of ASEAN, presented the introduction. (Photo: Dinh Hoa)

In the second session “The Road to Peace, Stability, Cooperation and Development”, Ambassador Le Luong Minh, Former Secretary General of ASEAN, presented an introduction on strategic changes in the region; opportunities, challenges and ASEAN's approach.

The speakers discussed the current status and prospects of ASEAN-led mechanisms; building a cohesive, resilient and connected ASEAN; enhancing ASEAN's role in preventing conflicts and maintaining peace and stability in the region, etc.

Delegates ask questions at the discussion session. (Photo: Dinh Hoa)

In addition to listening to the speakers' presentations, the Conference also devoted time to discussion sessions for delegates to ask questions, discuss and comment on the issues raised in the two sessions.