Prime Minister Le Minh Hung and Prime Ministers of 4 ASEAN nations attend opening of ASEAN Future Forum

The third ASEAN Future Forum commenced in Hanoi on June 9, bringing together regional leaders and stakeholders to deliberate on the bloc's collective path forward. Under the theme 'Shaping Our Shared Future: Peace, Prosperity, and People-Centered Development,' the event underscores Vietnam's commitment to fostering dialogue and cooperation within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

Vietnamese Prime Minister Le Minh Hung delivered a keynote address at the opening ceremony. He was joined by several regional counterparts, including Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone of Laos, Prime Minister Hun Manet of Cambodia, Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul of Thailand, and Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão of Timor-Leste. ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn was also in attendance, highlighting the forum's significance in the regional diplomatic calendar.

This high-level multilateral event marks Vietnam's first major foreign affairs initiative since the 14th Party Congress and subsequent elections. The forum attracted over 500 participants, comprising scholars, researchers, business representatives, and members of various organizations, reflecting broad interest in shaping ASEAN's future. Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung emphasized Hanoi's role as a city of peace and noted the strong participation, both in-person and online, as a testament to shared commitment to ASEAN and the region.

In his remarks, Minister Trung highlighted the forum's role as an open and substantive dialogue space, designed to complement the ASEAN Community building process. He noted the current global and regional landscape, characterized by profound changes, increasing competition, and rising tensions. The forum is set to address pressing issues facing ASEAN, ranging from economic transformation and artificial intelligence to energy security. The overarching message emphasized that a united, resilient, dynamic, and people-centered ASEAN will be stronger through the collective efforts of its member states, a sentiment echoed by leaders and citizens across the region.

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An united, resilient, dynamic, and creative ASEAN, centered on its people, will be stronger through every effort of its member states. That is also the common desire of ASEAN leaders and people.