AFF 2025: Strengthening ASEAN's unity and resilience

Under the theme Building a United, Inclusive, and Resilient ASEAN amidst Global Transformation, AFF 2025 serves as a high-profile platform to drive discussions on strengthening regional cooperation, fostering sustainable development, and positioning ASEAN as a key player in global affairs.

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The ASEAN Future Forum 2025 is under the theme Building a United, Inclusive, and Resilient ASEAN amidst Global Transformation. (Photo: Organiser)

The ASEAN Future Forum (AFF) 2025 officially opened in Hanoi on February 25, bringing together over 500 participants, including high-ranking leaders from ASEAN member states and partner countries.

As one of Vietnam’s most significant multilateral diplomatic initiatives, the two-day forum underscores the country’s proactive role in shaping ASEAN’s future.

Under the theme Building a United, Inclusive, and Resilient ASEAN amidst Global Transformation, AFF 2025 serves as a high-profile platform to drive discussions on strengthening regional cooperation, fostering sustainable development, and positioning ASEAN as a key player in global affairs.

Reinforcing ASEAN’s core values

At the 43rd ASEAN Summit in September 2023, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh reaffirmed the bloc’s commitment to sustainable and balanced growth. He stressed that ASEAN must remain steadfast in its core principles, placing people at the center of community-building efforts while ensuring equitable development, particularly in remote and sub-regional areas.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh with delegation heads at ASEAN Future Forum 2024 (Photo: VNA)
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh with delegation heads at ASEAN Future Forum 2024 (Photo: VNA)

Just months later, in April 2024, the ASEAN Future Forum 2024 in Hanoi expanded on this vision, rallying strong regional and international support. With its theme Toward Fast and Sustainable Growth of a People-Centered ASEAN Community, the forum reinforced ASEAN’s indispensable role in maintaining regional peace, stability, and economic resilience.

Reflecting on the forum’s growing impact, ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn praised Vietnam’s strategic foresight in spearheading this initiative. He stressed that while ASEAN often grapples with immediate challenges, there is an urgent need to think beyond the present and develop forward-looking strategies. The AFF, he noted, provides a unique space for innovative and anticipatory discussions, ensuring ASEAN is not just reacting to global shifts but actively shaping them. While ASEAN must strengthen internal cohesion, it must also proactively engage with the wider international community, he noted.

Hub for ideas, innovation, and future-driven solutions

Building on its past success, AFF 2025 once again positions Vietnam as a key driver of ASEAN’s unity, inclusivity, and resilience. According to Dr. Nguyen Hung Son, Acting President of the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam, ASEAN has continuously expanded its initiatives and strengthened regional solidarity, reinforcing its standing as a robust and forward-thinking community. Looking ahead, the ASEAN Community Vision 2045 will lay the foundation for a highly resilient, innovation-driven region that can effectively navigate an evolving geopolitical landscape.

Ambassador Tran Duc Binh, Director General of the ASEAN Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, affirmed that the theme of AFF 2025 reflects ASEAN’s fundamental values, which must be fully harnessed to safeguard past achievements and drive future progress. He highlighted that unity is the foundation of ASEAN’s strength and the key to its success, which must be demonstrated not only in words but in concrete actions.

Resilience defines ASEAN’s ability to navigate global uncertainties and has gained increasing prominence in ASEAN’s strategies, particularly in the ASEAN Community Vision 2045, underscoring the collective commitment to strengthening this pillar.

Inclusivity has long been a guiding principle of ASEAN, as enshrined in its Charter. Amid evolving global and regional dynamics, inclusivity must extend beyond internal engagement to encompass an open, transparent, and rules-based regional structure, one where ASEAN remains central and fosters broad-based, responsible participation from all partners.

Describing AFF 2025 as an “incubator for ideas,” UK Deputy Ambassador to Vietnam Marcus Winsley highlighted the forum’s significance as a key networking space, not only for ASEAN nations but also for global stakeholders. Discussions span a wide range of pressing issues, from sustainable development and technological advancements in food security to governance strategies and regional economic resilience.

As ASEAN celebrates a landmark year, AFF 2025 is poised to reflect on the bloc’s progress, seize emerging opportunities, and prepare for future challenges. The forum is rapidly solidifying its status as a premier ASEAN event, a trusted, future-shaping platform where leaders, experts, policymakers, businesses, and researchers converge to exchange insights, propose innovative solutions, and forge stronger regional cooperation./.

Politics-Diplomacy

Prime Minister welcomes Thai Foreign Minister
Politics-Diplomacy

Prime Minister welcomes Thai Foreign Minister

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh emphasised the need for the effective implementation of bilateral cooperation mechanisms, particularly the Joint Cabinet Meeting chaired by the two Prime Ministers, while receiving Thai Minister of Foreign Affairs Maris Sangiampongsa who is on an official visit to Vietnam from February 23-25.

Cabinet members deliberate on seven draft laws
Politics-Diplomacy

Cabinet members deliberate on seven draft laws

Deputy Prime Minister Le Thanh Long underscored the importance of these draft laws, highlighting their roles in enhancing judicial cooperation in criminal matters, facilitating the extradition and the effective transfer of sentenced persons, while also improving swift and effective response to emergency situations.

Politburo, Secretariat's conclusion on tasks for political system streamlining in 2025
Politics-Diplomacy

Politburo, Secretariat's conclusion on tasks for political system streamlining in 2025

The Politburo directed the Party Central Committee’s Organisation Commission to continue working closely with Party committees and affiliated Party bodies to tackle obstacles arising during the implementation phase, ensuring strict adherence to the 13th-term Politburo’s Directive on the organisation of Party congresses at all levels in the lead-up to the 14th National Party Congress and the Politburo’s conclusion on adjustments to the Directive.

NA's 9th extraordinary session wraps up
Politics-Diplomacy

NA's 9th extraordinary session wraps up

Speaking at the closing ceremony, NA Chairman Man stated that the session, which lasted six and a half days, adopted multiple laws and resolutions aimed at reorganising the state apparatus and accelerating socio-economic development.

Resolution adjusting 2025 socio-economic development plan adopted
Politics-Diplomacy

Resolution adjusting 2025 socio-economic development plan adopted

Under the resolution, the legislative body decided to adjust some key targets. Accordingly, the gross domestic product (GDP) growth rate is set to reach 8% or higher, with the GDP scale this year expected to exceed 500 billion USD. The GDP per capita is projected to surpass 5,000 USD, and the average consumer price index (CPI) growth rate is targeted to be around 4.5 - 5%.

NA greenlights investment policy of Lao Cai – Hanoi – Hai Phong rail project
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NA greenlights investment policy of Lao Cai – Hanoi – Hai Phong rail project

According to the resolution, the construction of a modern and harmonious railway aims to meet the transport demand between Vietnam and China. The initiative is expected to serve as a catalyst for rapid and sustainable economic development along the Lao Cai-Hanoi-Hai Phong economic corridor while strengthening national defence and security and promoting the industrialisation and modernisation, contributing to delivering on the targets and missions set at the documents of the 13th National Party Congress and the Party’s resolutions.

NA deputies to approve several resolutions, laws on February 19
Politics-Diplomacy

NA deputies to approve several resolutions, laws on February 19

The deputies will pass a resolution addressing issues related to the streamlining of the political system’s organisational apparatus, a resolution on supplementation to the 2025 socio-economic development plan with a growth target of at least 8%, and another on pilot policies to remove barriers in science-technology research and innovation activities.

Revised law on organisation of Government set to be adopted on Feb.18
Politics-Diplomacy

Revised law on organisation of Government set to be adopted on Feb.18

The draft law clarifies the cabinet's duties along several key dimensions such as submitting fundamental and critical matters to the NA for decision, presenting issues within the NA Standing Committee's jurisdiction for resolution, proposing amnesty decisions to the President in accordance with the regulations, and executing responsibilities within the Government's authority.