A journey of regional cohesion and self-reliance.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son wrote an article titled "ASEAN: A Journey of Regional Cohesion and Self-Reliance" on the occasion of the 57th anniversary of ASEAN's founding (August 8, 1967 - August 8, 2024).

Honor guards perform the ASEAN flag-raising ceremony. (Photo: An Dang/VNA)

On the occasion of the 57th anniversary of ASEAN's founding (August 8, 1967 - August 8, 2024), Thanh Hoa Newspaper respectfully presents an article by Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son entitled: "ASEAN: A Journey of Regional Cohesion and Self-Reliance":

Beginning its journey exactly 57 years ago, the Bangkok Declaration of August 8, 1967, establishing ASEAN, is a modest two-page document, yet it encapsulates the hopes and aspirations for lasting peace and prosperity for future generations.

The establishment of ASEAN, along with the historical transformations of the region, has enabled Southeast Asia to overcome the divisions of the past, becoming a central beacon of solidarity and cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region, with strategic political and economic significance. The shared mission of peace, stability, cooperation, and development has united ASEAN member states, and in turn, a cohesive and resilient ASEAN strives to fulfill that mission at new heights.

United by a shared mission and vision.

"Mountains and rivers do not separate us, but unite us in friendship, cooperation, and sharing." These visions, outlined nearly 30 years ago, form the foundation and driving force for ASEAN's cohesion across three dimensions: time, space, and strategy.

Building the ASEAN Community is a continuous process, built upon year after year. A politically cohesive, economically integrated, and socially responsible community is the overarching goal enshrined in the ASEAN Charter.

Representatives of the five founding ASEAN nations in Bangkok, August 8, 1967: Philippine Foreign Minister Narcio Ramos, Indonesian Foreign Minister Adam Malik, Thai Foreign Minister Thanat Khoman, Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Abdul Razak, and Singaporean Foreign Minister Sinnathamby Rajaratnam. (Photo: Archival material/VNA)

Amidst the ever-changing circumstances of the times, this objective remains constant, but at different times, with different priorities, ASEAN will concretize it into appropriate directions according to the trends and movements of each period.

In 2015, at the same time the ASEAN Community was established, the member states adopted the ASEAN Community Vision 2025 with the theme "ASEAN: Together We Advance," focusing on strengthening linkages at various levels, from the region to the world.

Less than a decade later, amidst an increasingly unpredictable and uncertain situation, the 2023 ASEAN Summit decided to develop a longer-term, more strategic vision for ASEAN.

The ASEAN Community Vision 2045 has defined the direction for ASEAN as "resilient, dynamic, innovative, and people-centered." These keywords will serve as a guiding principle for ASEAN's thinking and actions in the coming decades, ensuring its ability to proactively and flexibly respond to any changes.

Self-reliance in a changing world

Having matured and grown stronger through hardship and challenges, ASEAN is a symbol of unity, persistent effort, and self-reliance. The world and regional situation is rapidly changing with many new trends and their multifaceted, intertwined impacts. This context demands that ASEAN make even greater efforts to maintain and build upon the achievements of nearly 60 years of cooperation.

Strong in economic integration. Amidst a still somewhat bleak global economic landscape, ASEAN continues to be a bright spot for growth. With a GDP of US$3.8 trillion in 2023, ASEAN is the world's 5th largest economy and is projected to rise to 4th by 2030 with its current growth trajectory. ASEAN is currently an attractive investment destination, with total FDI reaching US$229 billion in 2023, surpassing all other developing economies.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh with the Secretary-General and Heads of Delegation of ASEAN countries at the Opening Ceremony of the 43rd ASEAN Summit and related summits, in Jakarta, Indonesia (September 5, 2023). Photo: Duong Giang - VNA

In the face of new development trends, ASEAN is devoting significant effort and determination to pursuing groundbreaking initiatives. The ASEAN Digital Economy Framework, the first of its kind globally, will provide ASEAN with new growth momentum and greater competitive advantages.

ASEAN has also emerged as a focal point in the trend of supply chain shifts and diversification, with a surge in investment in technology and sustainable development sectors such as green transformation, digital transformation, electric vehicles, renewable energy, power grids, and sustainable infrastructure.

Strong in political and security cooperation, ASEAN, as the "architect" of the regional structure, continues to affirm its central role, particularly in promoting norms of conduct such as the Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC), the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone Treaty (SEANWFZ), the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC)..., as well as enhancing the effectiveness and attractiveness of ASEAN-led mechanisms such as ASEAN+1, ASEAN+3, the East Asia Summit (EAS), and the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF).

The Joint Communiqué of the 57th ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting and many previous Joint Statements, such as the Statement of December 30, 2023, on maintaining and promoting stability in the maritime space of Southeast Asia, affirm ASEAN's solidarity, principled stance, and common voice on international and regional issues, upholding the rule of law, and peacefully resolving disputes on the basis of international law and the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). It also expresses the hope that partners will support ASEAN's efforts to build the South China Sea into a sea of ​​peace, stability, cooperation, and sustainable development.

Confident in its Community identity, realizing a people-oriented and people-centered ASEAN is the thread running through all of ASEAN's roadmaps and strategies. A series of ASEAN initiatives in recent years, such as the Emergency Public Health Coordination System, the Climate Change Center, and the Transboundary Haze Pollution Control Center, demonstrate ASEAN's continued efforts to find solutions to all the problems affecting people's lives.

Although much work remains to be done, today's achievements will undoubtedly spread widely, allowing people to feel the dedicated efforts of ASEAN at all levels of cooperation, fostering greater affection, attachment, support, and positive contributions to an increasingly strong Community. These are also the fundamental values ​​that build the identity of the ASEAN Community.

Vietnam in ASEAN: Complete trust, unwavering commitment.

In 1995, Vietnam officially began the process of cooperation and integration into ASEAN. Starting late and from a relatively low baseline, we have had to make continuous efforts to catch up and fully participate in all areas of ASEAN cooperation, and, more importantly, to actively and proactively contribute to that process.

Honor guards perform the ASEAN flag-raising ceremony. (Photo: An Dang/VNA)

The efforts of the past 29 years have yielded proud achievements, from successfully fulfilling our responsibilities as a member in the early days, to confidently participating in and contributing to shaping ASEAN's strategies, and now undertaking and leading many important processes.

Vietnam's position and prestige within ASEAN are the result of the efforts of ministries, departments, localities, businesses, and the people. The success of the ASEAN Future Forum 2024, hosted by Vietnam with the theme "Building a Rapidly Developing, Sustainable, and People-Centered ASEAN Community," is clear evidence of Vietnam's role and contributions to the common work of the region and the world.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son. (Photo: An Dang/VNA)

In early August, in remembrance of the late General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, a leader who left behind many precious legacies for the country's foreign relations, we would like to quote a statement of his regarding ASEAN: "Vietnam has always considered ASEAN as a common home, placing high priority on relations with member countries, harmonizing Vietnam's national interests with the interests of the entire region."

This bond of friendship and solidarity will continue to accompany Vietnam on its journey of participating in ASEAN, with the belief and effort to contribute to a cohesive and resilient ASEAN.

According to VNA

Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/ky-niem-57-nam-thanh-lap-asean-hanh-trinh-gan-ket-va-tu-cuong-khu-vuc-221546.htm