On the morning of June 8th in Hanoi , the dialogue session "ASEAN Youth: Aspirations 2030" took place within the framework of the ASEAN Future Forum (AFF) 2026, bringing together policymakers, experts, and youth delegates from ASEAN member states to discuss the role of the younger generation in building the region's future.
Attending the dialogue session were Prof. Dr. Nguyen Vu Tung, former Director of the Diplomatic Academy; Dr. Nguyen Thi Thin, Deputy Director of the Diplomatic Academy; Ms. Helen Mary Fazey, Ambassador and Head of the UK Delegation to ASEAN; Mr. Francisco Noel R. Fernandez III, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Philippines to Vietnam, along with a large number of ASEAN youth delegates.
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Dr. Nguyen Thi Thin, Deputy Director of the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam, delivered the opening remarks at the dialogue. Photo: Anh Tuan/ World & Vietnam Newspaper. |
In her opening remarks on the theme "Shaping the Future of ASEAN Through Intergenerational Dialogue," Dr. Nguyen Thi Thin emphasized the increasingly important role of youth in the context of ASEAN facing profound changes ranging from geopolitical competition, digital transformation, artificial intelligence (AI) to climate change.
According to her, with over 200 million young people aged 15-34, youth are not only beneficiaries of policies but also a force contributing to shaping the future of the region. Therefore, ensuring that the voices of young people are heard and reflected in the ASEAN policy-making process is a strategic requirement.
Three major trends
Discussing the major trends that will shape the region's future, the speakers all highlighted three prominent issues: artificial intelligence, climate change, and strategic competition among major powers.
Philippine Ambassador Francisco Noel R. Fernandez III argued that ASEAN youth should not merely adapt to the future but actively shape it. He noted that AI has become an integral part of practice, and it is crucial to leverage this technology to support policymaking and enhance ASEAN's community identity.
Meanwhile, Helen Mary Fazey noted that ASEAN is facing profound changes from the technological revolution and the increasingly evident impacts of climate change. She pointed out that some ASEAN countries are still facing many development challenges, therefore the region needs to seek a path to sustainable growth that both boosts the economy and narrows the development gap.
According to her, responding to climate change is an urgent task, requiring countries to balance the goal of reducing emissions with the need for economic development.
Placing these challenges within a broader context, Professor Nguyen Vu Tung argues that the geostrategic environment is becoming increasingly complex as competition among major powers intensifies. He reiterates that one of the key reasons for the establishment of ASEAN was to manage the impacts of strategic competition, a task that is being continued by today's younger generation.
The dialogue also addressed the principle of consensus – one of ASEAN's most prominent characteristics. Ambassador Fernandez argued that this is a strength rather than a weakness of the Association.
"We are similar because we are all ASEAN, but we are also diverse countries that are moving forward together as a unified entity," he said.
According to him, ASEAN maintains its unity through a flexible approach, leaving no member behind, while always seeking the greatest common ground among member states.
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Speakers participating in the ASEAN Youth Dialogue on the morning of June 8. Photo: Anh Tuan/World & Vietnam Newspaper. |
Bringing ASEAN closer to the people.
Discussing the theme "ASEAN as a People-Centered Community," speakers argued that ASEAN needs to become more accessible and tangible to its people, especially young people, through policies that deliver practical benefits such as facilitating travel, expanding employment opportunities, promoting the digital economy, improving the quality of education, and strengthening the capacity to respond to climate change.
Helen Mary Fazey argues that perceptions of ASEAN sometimes stem from very specific things, from the image of the ASEAN flag to the mechanisms facilitating travel between member states. More importantly, policymakers need to communicate the achievements of regional cooperation in language that is familiar and accessible to the people.
Sharing a practical example, Ambassador Fernandez said that the Philippines is one of the countries actively promoting mechanisms for protecting its citizens within the ASEAN framework. He cited coordinated campaigns among member states to support the repatriation of citizens from crisis areas in the Middle East and Africa.
"When you are an ASEAN citizen and need help, you not only have one embassy to turn to, but you can also receive support from ASEAN diplomatic missions," he said.
According to the Philippine ambassador, this is one of the clearest examples of the value that ASEAN brings to its people.
Adding to this perspective, Professor Nguyen Vu Tung argues that all three pillars of the ASEAN Community—economic, political-security, and socio-cultural—ultimately aim to improve the quality of life for its people.
He emphasized the importance of connections between the government and the people, among the people themselves, and between generations. According to him, when young people understand the efforts of previous generations, they will continue to build upon them and advance ASEAN further.
"Say: I am an ASEAN citizen."
During the exchange with young delegates, many questions were raised revolving around competition among major powers, the role of youth in policymaking, and the attractiveness of ASEAN to the younger generation.
Ambassador Fernandez argued that ASEAN needs to continue maintaining an independent foreign policy, avoiding being drawn into the competition between great powers. Given its population size, economic potential, and current cooperation mechanisms, ASEAN is fully capable of pursuing its own regional interests.
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Youth delegates ask questions to the speakers at the dialogue session. Photo: Anh Tuan/World & Vietnam Newspaper. |
The speakers also agreed that young people should not only appear symbolically at regional forums but should be genuinely involved in the policy-making process. In the context of ASEAN moving towards a more cohesive community, the voices of the younger generation are increasingly important.
At the same time, ASEAN needs to continue creating tangible benefits for its people through enhanced economic connectivity, supporting citizens during crises, and expanding opportunities for cooperation in education, research, business, and people-to-people exchanges.
Concluding the dialogue session, Professor Nguyen Vu Tung urged young people to begin their journey of engagement with ASEAN early on. He stated that he had been following and researching ASEAN since the early 1990s, when Vietnam was preparing to join the organization, and his belief in ASEAN has been strengthened over time.
Meanwhile, Ambassador Fernandez argued that ASEAN today is mature enough for the people of member countries to see themselves not only as national citizens, but also as citizens of a regional community.
He reiterated that ASEAN was born during the Cold War, when nations were very cautious about sharing sovereignty. More than half a century later, ASEAN has developed to the point where it can jointly promote common candidates in international organizations.
"When you step onto the stage, don't just say 'I'm Vietnamese,' 'Singaporean,' or 'Filipino.' Say: 'I am an ASEAN citizen,'" he shared.
Source: https://znews.vn/hay-noi-toi-la-cong-dan-asean-post1658017.html
