Hanoi (VNA) - The ASEAN Foreign Ministers (AMM)’ Retreat held in Langkawi, Malaysia, was a success, Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Head of SOM Vietnam Do Hung Viet has said, highlighting Vietnam’s positive contributions to the conference.
Talking to the press following the conclusion of the event on January 19, Viet affirmed that, under Malaysia's leadership as ASEAN Chair in 2025, the one-day conference provided a platform for ASEAN Foreign Ministers to engage in extensive discussions, resulting in consensus on several key issues.
The retreat officially launched a dynamic year of ASEAN cooperation, with members agreeing on directions, priority areas, and initiatives to achieve the theme “Inclusivity and Sustainability.” In political-security matters, ASEAN is committed to strengthening its central role and fostering strategic trust through dialogue and diplomacy with external partners.
In the economic front, the bloc prioritises sustainable growth, promoting trade and investment through the implementation of the upgraded ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA) 3.0, negotiating the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA), and fostering green finance.
In the socio-cultural realm, ASEAN aims to reduce development disparities, enhance quality of life, and address the impacts of climate change, ensuring no one is left behind.
The conference also laid the groundwork for long-term cooperation and development within ASEAN, particularly as 2025 marks the 10th founding anniversary of the ASEAN Community and sets the stage for the next phase of development. Member states are reviewing progress over the past decade and finalising the ASEAN Community Vision 2045 and strategic plans for 2026 onwards, covering political-security, economic, socio-cultural, and connectivity sectors. The 2025 priorities and initiatives not only address current needs but also reinforce ASEAN’s determination to build a resilient, people-centred, and forward-looking community.
The retreat reaffirmed ASEAN's message of unity and its central role in an increasingly volatile world. Despite the complicated international and regional landscape, the conference saw candid discussions on shared concerns. While each member state has its own views and positions, all agreed on the importance of maintaining unity and strengthening ASEAN's role in promoting dialogue and cooperation for regional peace, stability, and prosperity.
The Vietnamese delegation, led by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son, actively participated and significantly contributed to the success of the event. Son underscored Vietnam's commitment to working closely with other nations to implement the agreed priorities.
He also made important proposals regarding the ASEAN Community-building process, focusing on three key areas: enhancing regional economic integration to maintain growth and prosperity, leveraging new technologies to drive growth, and promoting an inclusive ASEAN Community with people at the centre to ensure no one is left behind.
Vietnam will host the ASEAN Future Forum 2025 in Hanoi on February 25-26, under the theme Building a united, inclusive and resilient ASEAN amidst global transformation. This marks the second consecutive year Vietnam will host the forum, attracting the broad participation of officials, experts and scholars to spark innovative ideas for the development, connectivity, and cooperation within ASEAN.
Regarding ASEAN’s external relations, Son discussed both the opportunities and challenges as ASEAN continues to attract growing attention from external partners.
In its role as coordinator for ASEAN-UK and ASEAN-New Zealand relations for 2024-2027, Vietnam is actively and proactively shaping agendas to deepen these partnerships and contribute to the ASEAN Community-building process. In the near term, Vietnam will work with ASEAN and New Zealand to prepare for the 50th Anniversary ASEAN-New Zealand Summit, aimed at elevating the ASEAN-New Zealand Strategic Partnership for peace, development, and prosperity.
On the global and regional issues, Son expected that the situation in Myanmar would stabilise soon, while also highlighting Vietnam’s readiness to cooperate with the 2025 ASEAN Chair and Special Envoy in following the Five-Point Consensus (5PC) and decisions on the Myanmar issue reached by ASEAN leaders.
Regarding the East Sea issue, he highlighted the importance of maintaining ASEAN’s unity and principled stance, reaffirming Vietnam’s commitment to implementing the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) and advancing substantive and effective negotiations on a Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC), in line with the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), aiming to build the East Sea into a sea of peace, cooperation and sustainable development./.
