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.

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.

Priority should be given to promoting economic development from both the supply and demand sides, accelerating the removal of barriers and bottlenecks hindering economic growth, and paying attention to the private sector, said Party leader To Lam.

The inspection of the Standing Boards of the Party Committees of Ho Chi Minh City, and Binh Duong, and Ba Ria – Vung Tau provinces must highlight achievements, draw lessons, and frankly point out limitations and shortcomings, said Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh.

The two Party leaders spoke highly of the deepening all-around cooperation between the two Parties, States and people of Vietnam and Cambodia, thus contributing to socio-economic development and elevating each country’s prestige and position in the region and the world.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh stressed that the country must pursue rapid but sustainable development, maintain high and continuous growth, uphold macroeconomic stability, control inflation, ensure major balances, and guarantee social welfare, as well as a sustainable, green, clean, and beautiful environment.

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.

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.

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.

The National Assembly on February 19 approved a resolution that strongly empowers Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City in implementing investments in urban railway projects.

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%.

On February 19, the 15th National Assembly adopted the Law on Organisation of Local Governments (revised) and the Law on Promulgation of Legal Documents (revised).

The 15th National Assembly (NA) adopted a resolution on several special mechanisms and policies for the Ninh Thuan nuclear power project at its ninth extraordinary session on February 19.

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.

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.

The resolution issuance is essential to clearly define the specific tasks, powers, and organisational structure of the National Assembly's bodies after the restructuring and merger process, said NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man.

Le Minh Hoan and Vu Hong Thanh were elected as NA Vice Chairmen, while Mai Van Chinh and Nguyen Chi Dung as Deputy Prime Ministers.

The newly approved legislation, consisting of five chapters and 32 articles, will take effect from March 1 this year. The adoption follows discussions held on February 13 and 14.

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.

Tran Quoc Nam, Chairman of the Ninh Thuan provincial People's Committee and head of the provincial delegation of NA deputies, stated that restarting the Ninh Thuan nuclear power project is a great opportunity for the province to become the nation's clean energy hub.