Together, let's continue writing ASEAN's successful chapters

This is a large-scale official multilateral foreign affairs activity in 2023 attended by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh. The fact that Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh leads the Vietnamese delegation to the 42nd ASEAN Summit not only demonstrates Vietnam's support for Indonesia in its role as ASEAN Chair 2023, but also aims to actively implement the foreign policy and guidelines set forth by the 13th National Party Congress on "continuing to promote and improve the effectiveness of foreign affairs and international integration". As the first official summit in the ASEAN Chairmanship Year 2023, the 42nd ASEAN Summit takes place in the context of the world and regional situation continuing to develop complicatedly, with many potential risks. Strategic competition among major countries tends to increase. Although the world economy has shown signs of recovery after the Covid-19 pandemic, the overall growth rate remains low and unstable.

With ASEAN, the Association is striving to complete the 2025 Master Plan on all three pillars of politics -security, economy and culture-society, while preparing for the next stage of development with the building of the ASEAN Community Vision after 2025, focusing on improving institutional capacity, promoting cooperation according to current major trends such as: Inclusive recovery, digital transformation, circular economy, sustainable development... ASEAN continues to firmly position itself as a central role in the regional structure, demonstrated through initiatives and proposals put forward by a number of partners such as upgrading relations, implementing priority contents in relations, organizing the commemorative HNCC or the first HNCC with ASEAN. However, it must also be acknowledged that, while ASEAN's internal solidarity and central role continue to be promoted, the Association is facing many challenges both internally and externally.

In such a context, the 42nd ASEAN Summit with the theme: “A Great ASEAN: The Heart of Growth” is an opportunity for leaders of member countries to discuss and propose directions to strengthen the Community, enhance self-reliance, adaptability and promote the central role of the Association in the face of current complexities and fluctuations.

The history of more than 55 years of formation and development of ASEAN has proven that after each difficulty, challenge and crisis, ASEAN is stronger than before and can now be proud to be a model of successful regional integration. The achievements are the solid foundation for ASEAN to build a united, strong, prosperous and self-reliant Community with a high international role and position, for our common interests.

Nearly 30 years since joining the "common home" of ASEAN, Vietnam has so far affirmed itself as an inseparable part of ASEAN and the Southeast Asian region, linking the country's development with ASEAN. Policy towards ASEAN has also become an important part of Vietnam's foreign policy. Vietnam is always proactive, positive and responsible when participating in the Association's work, together with member countries maintaining and promoting a balanced and harmonious approach to regional and international issues, promoting ASEAN's responsibility and voice for peace, stability and development. With a proactive, positive, sincere, trustworthy, responsible, flexible and creative spirit, Vietnam has been and will continue to make every effort with member countries to strengthen intra-bloc solidarity, effectively respond to emerging challenges, affirm the role, image and prestige of ASEAN, thereby continuing to write successful chapters of the Association, making important contributions to peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world .

People's Army

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