Hanoi (VNA) – Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh's attendance at the 46th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, continues to convey Vietnam’s strong commitment to active, proactive and responsible engagement in ASEAN, contributing to upholding the bloc’s centrality and constructive contributions to peace, stability, and development.
ASEAN’s journey toward a cohesive, united community
Established on August 8, 1967, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has evolved into a leading model of regional cooperation and integration, wielding growing influence and prestige on the global stage.
A major milestone in this journey was the official establishment of the ASEAN Community on December 31, 2015, structured around three pillars: Political-Security, Economic, and Socio-Cultural. This has transformed ASEAN into a closely connected political and economic entity committed to peace, stability, cooperation, and development in Southeast Asia and the wider Asia-Pacific region.
The Political-Security pillar has made remarkable strides, with 99.6% of the ASEAN Political-Security Community Blueprint 2025 completed. Cooperation has deepened across diplomatic, national defence, security, and judicial channels.
On the Economic pillar, the ASEAN Economic Community Blueprint has achieved 93% of its goals, positioning the bloc as the world’s fifth-largest economy, with a combined GDP of around 3.3 trillion USD and a market of 680 million people. Forecasts project a 4.7% growth in 2025, outpacing the global average, with expectations that ASEAN will rank as the fourth-largest economy by 2030.
The Socio-Cultural pillar has also seen progress, with 99% of the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community Blueprint 2025 fulfilled. Efforts have focused on addressing global challenges, while offering support to vulnerable groups.
Since 2023, ASEAN has been crafting its Post-2025 Vision, aiming to build an even more cohesive, resilient, and forward-looking community in the decades to come.
Vietnam’s responsible engagement in building a resilient and cohesive ASEAN
Since joining the group on July 28, 1995, Vietnam has emerged as a linchpin in building a strong, united, and proactive ASEAN with growing global and regional standing.
Shortly after its admission, Vietnam championed the expansion of the bloc, facilitating the admission of Laos and Myanmar in 1997 and Cambodia in 1999. This milestone completed ASEAN’s roster of 10 member states, ushering in an era of deeper regional integration.
Vietnam’s leadership has been a defining feature of its ASEAN tenure, with the country chairing the bloc in 1998, 2010, and 2020. In December 1998, Vietnam hosted the 6th ASEAN Summit in Hanoi, where leaders adopted the Hanoi Plan of Action, a landmark framework that strengthened regional solidarity and charted ASEAN’s path toward its Vision 2020.
The 2020 chairmanship, held amid the global upheaval of the COVID-19 pandemic, showcased Vietnam’s agility and resolve. Under its leadership, ASEAN maintained unity, advanced cooperation, and prioritised stabilising lives and economies. Vietnam spearheaded initiatives to drive post-pandemic recovery, reinforcing the bloc’s resilience in the face of unprecedented challenges.
Vietnam’s influence extends beyond its chairmanships, with pivotal contributions to ASEAN’s foundational frameworks. These include the ASEAN-10 concept, the Hanoi Plan of Action (1998), ASEAN Vision 2020 (1997), the Declaration of ASEAN Concord II (2003), the ASEAN Charter (2007), and the ASEAN Community Vision 2025. Vietnam is now playing a key role in shaping the ASEAN Community Vision 2045, a blueprint for the bloc’s future.
In a forward-looking move, Vietnam proposed and has hosted the ASEAN Future Forum, designed to complement ASEAN’s official mechanisms and offer a space for broad dialogue on new ideas and regional cooperation.
A coordinator of ASEAN’s relations with key partners like China, India, Japan, the Republic of Korea, the UK, and New Zealand, Vietnam has earned a reputation for its sincerity and trustworthiness.
As Vietnam marks 30 years of ASEAN membership in 2025, the milestone offers a moment to reflect on its achievements and chart its future contributions.
Vietnam continues responsible role at 46th ASEAN Summit and related meetings
Leaders from the 10 ASEAN member states, joined by representatives from Timor-Leste, the Gulf Cooperation Council, and China, are gathering for the 46th ASEAN Summit and related meetings in Kuala Lumpur from May 26 – 27. Under Malaysia’s 2025 chairmanship, the summit is anchored in the theme “Inclusivity and Sustainability”, with an agenda focused on deepening regional cooperation and confronting pressing global and regional challenges.
This year’s summit coincides with the 10th founding anniversary of the ASEAN Community, offering a moment to reflect on the bloc’s journey of resilience and unity, said Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Do Hung Viet.
A centerpiece of the summit is the anticipated adoption of the ASEAN Community Vision 2045, a framework built on the Political-Security, Economic, Socio-Cultural, and Connectivity pillars. This vision aims to build on the past achievements while equipping ASEAN to adapt to global shifts over the next two decades.
Led by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, the Vietnamese delegation is poised to champion proactive and responsible engagement. “Vietnam is committed to collaborating with member states to shape strategic priorities and practical solutions that strengthen ASEAN’s unity and global influence”, Viet said.
Malaysian Ambassador to Vietnam Dato' Tan Yang Thai praised Vietnam’s indispensable role in shaping the post-2025 ASEAN Community Vision. Malaysia considers Vietnam a key partner, not only in steering ASEAN’s future but also in engaging constructively with external partners such as China, the US, and the European Union, he said./.
