Prime Minister Le Minh Hung and the high-level Vietnamese delegation attended these events.
In his opening remarks at the conference, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. emphasized the significant importance of the conference as ASEAN enters a new phase of development based on the ASEAN Community Vision 2045.
Together we steer our shared future.
At the Plenary Session immediately following the opening ceremony, ASEAN leaders shared their assessments of the negative impacts of complex geopolitical developments in the world, especially conflicts in the Middle East, on peace, stability, international energy supply chains, and threats to the lives of civilians. The leaders emphasized the importance of maintaining peace and stability and the key principles of promoting dialogue and peaceful resolution based on international law and the UN Charter.
Prime Minister Le Minh Hung attended the Plenary Session of the 48th ASEAN Summit.
PHOTO: VNA
The leaders also shared and supported the Philippines' orientations and priorities for ASEAN cooperation in 2026 under the theme "Together Steering a Shared Future," with three major focuses: cooperation in responding to non-traditional challenges as an anchor for regional peace and stability; leveraging economic connectivity, digitalization, inclusive and sustainable development as drivers for the development of a prosperity corridor; and placing ASEAN people at the center of community development.
ASEAN leaders also emphasized that in the current context, ASEAN countries need to continue to strengthen solidarity, maintain their central role, enhance and expand cooperation with partners, and promote and improve the effectiveness of implementing cooperation plans and programs, especially in ensuring energy security, food security, economic stability, supply chain security, and supporting the people of ASEAN.
Vietnam is ready to provide food assistance in emergency situations.
Speaking at the Plenary Session, Prime Minister Le Minh Hung affirmed Vietnam's support and commitment to cooperate with the Chair of the Philippines and other member countries to realize the priorities and initiatives of the Philippines in 2026.
Emphasizing the interconnected and multifaceted challenges, the question for ASEAN is not "will it be affected?" but rather "how will ASEAN respond and how will it respond together?", Prime Minister Le Minh Hung put forward three major proposals.
Accordingly, Prime Minister Le Minh Hung stated that, first and foremost, it is necessary to focus resources on ensuring essential security needs, including energy security, food security, and human security. This includes ratifying and effectively implementing the ASEAN Oil and Gas Security Agreement, substantively implementing the ASEAN Energy Cooperation Action Plan 2026-2030, the ASEAN Power Grid, and the ASEAN Gas Pipeline System; diversifying energy sources, promoting energy transition, enhancing access to green finance and advanced technologies; improving the effectiveness of existing frameworks and agreements on food security, strengthening strategic reserves, and establishing a specialized emergency reserve mechanism for rice and other essential commodities.
Prime Minister Le Minh Hung affirmed that Vietnam is ready to provide food assistance in emergency situations, share relevant experiences with ASEAN member states, and will continue to coordinate closely with ASEAN member states in assisting its citizens.
Secondly, Prime Minister Le Minh Hung proposed promoting substantive cooperation to strengthen ASEAN's internal capacity and resilience. Accordingly, it is necessary to effectively implement the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA) and expedite the completion of the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA).
Finally, Prime Minister Le Minh Hung called for enhanced ASEAN coordination and solidarity, emphasizing the need to improve the effectiveness of inter-sectoral consultation and coordination in emergency situations, as well as continuing to leverage the coordinating role of the ASEAN Secretariat to ensure that regional commitments are implemented continuously, synchronously, and effectively.
Vietnam's proposals were welcomed and highly appreciated by ASEAN leaders for their content and timeliness. Based on Vietnam's proposals, the conference discussed and agreed to issue an ASEAN Leaders' Statement on Priority Actions to Strengthen Regional Resilience in Response to the Consequences of the Middle East Situation; expressing ASEAN's political stance on the implications of the Middle East situation…
On the afternoon of May 8th, Prime Minister Le Minh Hung attended the ASEAN Leaders' Closed Session, with the main topic of discussion being responding to the energy crisis arising from geopolitical tensions and lessons learned for ASEAN.
Speaking at the session, Prime Minister Le Minh Hung shared the assessment of ASEAN leaders and emphasized that in an increasingly uncertain and insecure strategic environment, ASEAN cannot simply adapt to change but must lead, guide, and shape change. Accordingly, the Prime Minister outlined three key proposals for ASEAN in the new context.
Firstly, ASEAN needs to take the lead in upholding the rule of law and strengthening trust in international relations by persistently promoting multilateralism and the supremacy of international law. In the South China Sea, ASEAN needs to work with China to ensure the full and effective implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC), and to achieve an effective, substantive, and internationally compliant Code of Conduct in the South China Sea (COC), particularly the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), according to the agreed roadmap.
Secondly, in a volatile world, ASEAN needs to anticipate change by proactively preventing and managing crises. Thirdly, enhancing strategic autonomy and promoting its central role is the only option to help ASEAN stand firm and overcome the multifaceted challenges it faces today.
Prime Minister Le Minh Hung receives leaders of other countries.
* Prime Minister Le Minh Hung had a working breakfast with the Prime Ministers of Cambodia and Laos.
On the afternoon of May 8th, continuing his activities within the framework of his working visit to attend the 48th ASEAN Summit in Cebu, Philippines, Prime Minister Le Minh Hung held meetings with Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong; Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul; and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto.
* Earlier that morning, Prime Minister Le Minh Hung had a working breakfast with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone. In a warm and friendly atmosphere, Prime Minister Le Minh Hung affirmed that Vietnam always values the traditional solidarity and close ties with Cambodia and Laos. He affirmed that in his new position, he will strive to cultivate trilateral relations, cooperate closely with the Cambodian and Lao Prime Ministers to transform the "traditional friendship" between the three countries into a "driving force for development" and turn "geographical proximity" into a "strategic advantage" for the three countries to develop rapidly and sustainably.
The three Prime Ministers expressed their pleasure that the trilateral relationship has continued to be strengthened in recent times. They also exchanged views on international and regional issues of mutual interest; emphasizing the importance of maintaining close solidarity and cooperation among the three countries, as well as promoting cooperation with other ASEAN countries, in the context of complex and volatile global and regional situations.
Prime Minister Le Minh Hung had breakfast and held a working meeting with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone.
PHOTO: VNA
Source: https://thanhnien.vn/tang-cuong-doan-ket-asean-185260508215312464.htm
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