Philippines and Vietnam share ASEAN's aspiration for a peaceful and stable region

General Secretary To Lam received Philippine Ambassador to Vietnam Meynardo Los Banos Montealegre on April 24. (Source: Nhan Dan)

Spillover effects in ASEAN

Since officially becoming a member in 1995, Vietnam has shown a strong desire to integrate, absorb ASEAN's identity and principles comprehensively in all political , economic and socio-cultural fields. This has been maintained until today, 30 years after joining ASEAN.

Philippine Ambassador to Vietnam Meynardo LB. Montealegre. (Photo: Nguyen Ngoc)

On the contrary, it is Vietnam's persistent commitments and efforts towards ASEAN that have contributed to strengthening the Association, bringing benefits not only to Vietnam but also to each member country in the Association.

Indeed, it can be said that Vietnam's contributions have created a ripple effect within ASEAN, helping to strengthen mutual support for all member countries as well as the entire Association - which can be clearly seen through the political and economic expansion of ASEAN, becoming a regional organization as it is today.

Politically, Vietnam has demonstrated its strong commitment to ASEAN's fundamental principles by integrating the Association's core principles into its foreign policy.

In terms of culture and society, I believe that Vietnam's great efforts in cultivating ASEAN values in its country also play a key role in maintaining and nurturing the spirit of solidarity and friendship among ASEAN countries.

And Vietnam's peaceful and stable economic development also benefits the highly interconnected economy in the region, thereby continuing to promote integration and mutually beneficial development among countries.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son met with Philippine Foreign Minister Maria Theresa Lazaro on July 9 on the sidelines of the 58th ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. (Photo: Quang Hoa)

Unprecedented opportunity to contribute to peace

We live in a deeply globalized world, which makes each ASEAN member state vulnerable to unprecedented complex global political and economic situations. There are large-scale conflicts taking place in the world – arguably not seen since World War II – affecting many countries, both directly and indirectly.

Through the pragmatic approach of ASEAN leaders, we have succeeded in maintaining peace and the ASEAN way amid myriad challenges. However, our region does not exist in isolation.

While ASEAN is a strong and promising region, our economies and the living standards of our people are still in the process of development and have not yet reached their full potential. Therefore, the future of the region is also at stake if we continue to assume that these conflicts are far from ASEAN.

Therefore, a commitment to consensus-based decision-making and maintaining ASEAN centrality will further reinforce the Association's importance as an influential and vocal regional organization.

In ASEAN thinking, we need to instill the values of a rules-based order, peaceful coexistence, respect for human rights and international law, and strict adherence to our international commitments.

It can be said that with its increasingly enhanced international position and prestige, decades of experience in war, the Vietnamese people's unwavering commitment to independence and freedom, and Vietnam's economic importance in the global order, Vietnam has an unprecedented opportunity to contribute meaningfully to ASEAN's collective efforts to maintain peace, stability and the rule of international law.

Philippine Ambassador to Vietnam Meynardo Los Banos Montealegre and delegates cut the ribbon to open the Philippine Food Week in June 2025. (Photo: Anh Kim)

Towards ASEAN Community 2045

The ASEAN Community Vision (ACV) 2045 aims to shape ASEAN into a resilient, dynamic, innovative and people-centred Community by 2045 – where ASEAN will become the growth hub of the Indo-Pacific region and a significant player in the world order.

This vision builds on the achievements of the current regional Community building process and the outcomes of ACV 2025, while taking into account the rapidly changing global context.

This is a 20-year roadmap that represents what we want ASEAN to achieve in the future, by properly allocating resources and adjusting existing priorities to maintain the desired development trajectory over the next two decades.

Although it is a long-term plan in a rapidly changing world, I believe that ACV 2045 is an important document that will serve as a compass for future generations of leaders and policymakers, helping to shape the region in line with what we all aspire to: a people-centered, inclusive and sustainable ASEAN.

Both the Philippines and Vietnam share the aspiration for a stable, peaceful and secure region. Through our various bilateral mechanisms, we have contributed to and fostered these goals, reinforcing the benefits of a harmonious partnership that benefits the entire region.

The Philippines will assume the ASEAN Chairmanship at the time of the launch of ACV 2045, and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has pledged to use ACV 2045 as a vehicle to realize a secure, peaceful, stable, rule-of-law, prosperous, and resilient ASEAN.

As the Philippines’ only strategic partner in ASEAN, Vietnam will play an important role in supporting the Philippines in assuming the role of ASEAN Chair in 2026, especially in relations between ASEAN and its dialogue partners. Vietnam’s support will be a key factor in helping the Philippines realize its commitment to ASEAN.