Ready for ASEAN's new development phase

Authorized by Foreign Minister Le Hoai Trung, Deputy Foreign Minister Dang Hoang Giang, Head of ASEAN-Vietnam SOM, led the Vietnamese delegation to attend the Foreign Ministers' Meeting and related meetings.

At the meetings, ASEAN Foreign Ministers discussed and finalized preparations for the 47th ASEAN Summit. (Photo: Bao Chi)

On October 25th, 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 Joint Meeting between ASEAN Foreign Ministers and Economic Ministers (AMM-AEM) took place, with the participation of Foreign Ministers/Heads of Delegation from ASEAN countries, Timor-Leste, and the ASEAN Secretary-General. Authorized by Foreign Minister Le Hoai Trung, Deputy Foreign Minister Dang Hoang Giang, Head of the ASEAN-Vietnam Senior Officials' Meeting (SOM), led the Vietnamese delegation to the meeting.

At the meetings, ASEAN Foreign Ministers discussed and finalized preparations for the 47th ASEAN Summit and ASEAN-partner Summits to be held from October 26-28, 2025. Against the backdrop of rapidly changing, complex, and unprecedented global and regional situations, the Ministers agreed that this series of Summits is a crucial opportunity for ASEAN to reaffirm its unity and central role, strengthen efforts to build an inclusive and sustainable ASEAN Community, and further expand relations with partners. This will help ASEAN consolidate its strategic self-reliance and autonomy, and continue to make effective contributions to maintaining peace , security, and development in the region.

Congratulating Timor-Leste on its upcoming membership as the 11th member of ASEAN, the Ministers affirmed their continued support for Timor-Leste in fulfilling its membership criteria and integrating fully and effectively into ASEAN's cooperation mechanisms. On this occasion, the Minister of Foreign Affairs 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), reaffirming their commitment to upholding all principles, objectives, and obligations set forth in the Charter and Treaty, thereby paving the way for the country's formal admission to ASEAN on October 26th.

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

Regarding political and security cooperation, based on the results and experience gained over the 10 years of implementing the ASEAN Political-Security Community (APSC) 2025 Master Plan, the countries agreed to focus efforts on effectively implementing the new phase of the APSC Strategic Plan. Concerned about the increasingly complex situation of transnational crime, including cybercrime and online fraud, the Ministers agreed that ASEAN needs to further strengthen regional and international cooperation; accordingly, they welcomed Vietnam's hosting of the signing ceremony of the United Nations Convention on 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 South China Sea. On this occasion, the Foreign Ministers witnessed Finland signing the instrument of accession to the Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation (TAC), bringing the total number of countries/organizations participating in the TAC to 58.

The Ministers welcomed the initiative to hold the ASEAN Economic Ministers' Joint Meeting on Foreign Affairs and Foreign Affairs, and agreed on the need to further strengthen coordination between the political-diplomatic and economic channels to effectively respond to the intertwined geoeconomic and geopolitical challenges and shifts.

The Ministers agreed that ASEAN needs to further strengthen regional and international cooperation. (Photo: Bao Chi)

Speaking at the conferences, Deputy Minister Dang Hoang Giang congratulated Malaysia, the current Chair, on leading ASEAN to achieve many important results in a pivotal year; affirming that Vietnam will continue to closely coordinate with Malaysia and other ASEAN member states to successfully implement the set goals and priorities. In the context of complex and volatile global and regional situations, the Deputy Minister suggested that ASEAN continue to give high priority to cooperation in maintaining regional peace and stability, emphasizing a culture of dialogue and cooperation, adhering to the committed principles and norms of conduct, while promoting intra-bloc cooperation and linkages, effectively exploiting new growth drivers, and simultaneously strengthening and expanding relations with external partners on a mutually beneficial basis, especially common economic and trade interests. Regarding the South China Sea, Deputy Minister Dang Hoang Giang suggested that ASEAN maintain unity and principled stances, coordinate closely to maintain and promote peace , stability, security, safety, freedom of navigation and overflight, and uphold international law in this important region.

Earlier, on the afternoon of October 24th, an expanded informal consultation at the Foreign Minister level took place on the implementation of the ASEAN Five-Point Consensus on the Myanmar issue. During the consultation, the countries appreciated the efforts of the Chair country Malaysia and the Special Envoy in engaging in 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 period.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/san-sang-cho-giai-doan-phat-trien-moi-cua-asean-332205.html