47th ASEAN Summit: Ready for a new stage of development

On October 25, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting (AMM), the ASEAN Political-Security Community Council (APSC) and ASEAN Coordinating Council (ACC) meetings, and the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' and Economic Ministers' Meeting (AMM-AEM) took place with the participation of the Foreign Ministers, Heads of Delegations of ASEAN countries, Timor Leste and the ASEAN Secretary-General.

Scene at the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting. Photo: Vien Luyen/VNA

Authorized by Foreign Minister Le Hoai Trung, Deputy Foreign Minister Dang Hoang Giang, Head of SOM ASEAN - Vietnam, led the Vietnamese delegation to the conference.

According to a VNA correspondent in Kuala Lumpur, at the conferences, ASEAN Foreign Ministers discussed and completed preparations for the 47th ASEAN Summit and the ASEAN-Party Summits taking place on October 26-28. In the context of the rapidly changing, complex and unprecedented global and regional situation, the Ministers agreed that this series of Summits is an important occasion for ASEAN to affirm its solidarity and central role, promote efforts to build an inclusive and sustainable ASEAN Community, and continue to expand relations with partners, thereby helping ASEAN strengthen its self-reliance and strategic autonomy, and continue to make effective contributions to maintaining peace, security and development in the region.

Congratulating Timor Leste on becoming the 11th member of ASEAN, the Ministers affirmed to continue supporting Timor Leste to complete the membership criteria, fully and effectively integrate into ASEAN's cooperation mechanisms. On this occasion, the Foreign Minister of Timor Leste deposited the instrument of accession to the ASEAN Charter and the instrument of accession to the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone Treaty (SEANWFZ), affirming the commitment to comply with all principles, objectives and obligations stated in the Charter and Treaty, thereby paving the way for ASEAN to officially admit this country on October 26.

Regarding the process of building the Community, all countries emphasized the importance of synchronously and effectively implementing Strategic Plans to realize the goals and priorities set out in the ASEAN Community Vision 2045, in which priority is given to promoting inclusive and sustainable development, strengthening economic connectivity, ensuring social security, and bringing practical benefits to the people.

Regarding political-security cooperation, based on the results and experiences gained over the 10 years of implementing the Master Plan on building the ASEAN Political-Security Community (APSC) 2025, the countries agreed to focus their efforts on effectively implementing the Strategic Plan on building the APSC in the new phase. Concerned about the complicated situation of transnational crimes, including cybercrime and online fraud, the Ministers agreed that ASEAN needs to further promote regional and international cooperation; accordingly, they welcomed Vietnam's hosting of the signing ceremony of the United Nations Convention against Cybercrime in Hanoi. The countries also agreed that ASEAN should continue to strengthen solidarity and coordination on issues affecting regional peace and security, including the East Sea.

On this occasion, the Foreign Ministers witnessed Finland signing the document of accession to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC), bringing the total number of countries/organizations participating in TAC to 58.

The Ministers welcomed the initiative to hold a joint ASEAN Foreign and Economic Ministers' Meeting, and agreed on the need to continue to strengthen coordination between political-diplomatic and economic channels to effectively respond to intertwined challenges and geo-economic and geopolitical fluctuations.
Speaking at the conferences, Deputy Minister Dang Hoang Giang congratulated the Chair of Malaysia for leading ASEAN to achieve many important results in a pivotal year; affirmed that Vietnam will continue to closely coordinate with Malaysia and ASEAN member countries to successfully implement the set goals and priorities.

Deputy Foreign Minister Dang Hoang Giang, representing Vietnam at the conference. Photo: Vien Luyen/VNA

In the context of complex changes in the world and the region, Deputy Minister Dang Hoang Giang suggested that ASEAN continue to give high priority to cooperation to maintain peace and stability in the region, including promoting the culture of dialogue and cooperation, adhering to the common principles and standards of conduct that have been committed, while promoting cooperation and intra-bloc linkages, effectively exploiting new growth drivers, along with continuing to strengthen and expand external relations on the basis of mutual benefit, especially common economic and trade interests. Regarding the East Sea, Deputy Minister Dang Hoang Giang suggested that ASEAN maintain solidarity and principled stance, closely coordinate to maintain and promote peace, stability, security, safety, freedom of navigation and aviation, and uphold international law in this important region.

Previously, on the afternoon of October 24, an informal consultation at the Foreign Ministers level on the implementation of the ASEAN Five-Point Consensus on the Myanmar issue took place. At the consultation, the countries highly appreciated the efforts of the Chair Malaysia and the Special Envoy in contacting and dialogue with the parties, and agreed that the Five-Point Consensus continues to be the main direction for ASEAN's efforts on the Myanmar issue in the coming time.

Source: https://baotintuc.vn/thoi-su/hoi-nghi-cap-cao-asean-47-san-sang-cho-giai-doan-phat-trien-moi-20251025191953089.htm