Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh honored as Outstanding ASEAN Leader 2025

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh was honored at a forum in Malaysia on May 25 - Photo: VGP

The honoring of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh took place at the ASEAN Leaders and Partners Forum (ALPF) on May 25 in Malaysia.

This is an annual event of important strategic significance, co-organized by the Asia-Pacific Strategic Studies Institute (KSI) - a leading international research and policy consultancy in Malaysia - and partners such as the ASEAN Economic Club.

This year’s ALPF was attended by representatives from ASEAN countries, the ASEAN business community and the region. The forum is not only a place for delegates to address global challenges but also an opportunity to shape the future of ASEAN together.

According to the Government Portal, at the event on May 25, KSI Chairman Michael Yeoh and other speakers assessed Vietnam as the fastest growing economy, affirming that it is "a bright star of ASEAN".

Regarding ASEAN in general, delegates commented that this is the world's leading dynamic economic region, witnessing both deep integration among member countries and expanding relations with important partners, including the US, China, Japan, Russia, India, GCC,...

With its central role in the regional economic network and multilateral free trade agreements, Vietnam offers investors the advantage of accessing diverse markets and supply chains across ASEAN.

Therefore, investing in Vietnam is not only investing in a dynamic, stable and rapidly growing economy, but also a strategic step to connect with a region of more than 700 million people.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh speaks at the forum - Photo: VGP

Speaking at the forum, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh stated that the world situation is changing very quickly, complicatedly, and unpredictably. He pointed out that many countries are changing their policies and that many issues are of a national, comprehensive, and global nature that no country can solve alone.

In that context, the head of the Vietnamese Government emphasized that there is no other way but to be more united, united between countries and businesses.

At the same time, we must promote multilateralism to join hands, join efforts, and participate in solving world problems, including the problems of our country and our businesses.

Regarding businesses, the Prime Minister emphasized their important and pioneering mission of contributing to the common goal of building a self-reliant ASEAN that develops rapidly and sustainably, bringing benefits to the people and society.

On what needs to be done, he said that businesses must increase connectivity with each other, thereby connecting ASEAN economies and ASEAN with the world.

Besides, it is necessary to contribute to building institutions and policies towards harmonization among ASEAN countries and with countries around the world.

At the same time, the parties need to connect supply chains and production chains that have been broken and affected in the past, as well as diversify markets, products and supply chains to cope with the situation, avoiding dependence on one market or one location.

In addition, it is necessary to promote public-private cooperation and connect agricultural development in a green, clean, and digital direction.

In order for businesses to do the above, the Prime Minister stated that states and governments must promote their role in creating, designing and implementing policies to ensure stability and create an environment of peace, cooperation and development.

That will create conditions for rapid and sustainable development, especially promoting the development of digital economy, green economy, circular economy, science and technology, and innovation.

Also at the forum, KSI honored Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh as the Outstanding ASEAN Leader of 2025. The Prime Minister expressed his gratitude and said that this is an award for the people and country of Vietnam, which he represents to receive.