ASEAN should stick to its principled positions on security, development issues
VGP - Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh urged ASEAN to stick to its principled positions on regional and international security and development issues.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh adddressses the opening ceremony of the ASEAN Future Forum at the Diplomatic Academy of Viet Nam, Ha Noi, April 23, 2024. Photo: VGP
Addressing the opening ceremony of the ASEAN Future Forum in Ha Noi on Monday, Pham called on ASEAN to strengthen solidarity and unity in diversity, uphold the bloc's spirit of independence, self-reliance, and strategic autonomy, and promote its centrality.
ASEAN should strengthen strategic trust within the bloc and between the bloc and its partners, contributing to prevention of conflicts, maintenance of peaceful environment, security, stability and prosperity in the region and the world, said Pham.
He suggested ASEAN step up digital transformation, development of green, circular and digital economy while promoting innovation and entrepreneurship in order to create new growth impetuses in the time ahead.
Pham promosed that Viet Nam will double efforts and cooperate with ASEAN member countries, international partners and friends in writing new success stories in order to contribute to peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world.
The ASEAN Future Forum, initiated by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh last year, draws the participation of nearly 400 delegates, including Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone who is Chairman of ASEAN 2024, Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi, Brunei Foreign Minister Brunei Erywan Yusof, and ASEAN Secretary General Kao Kim Hourn.
United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Timor Leste's Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao are expected to send pre-corded messages to the forum.
The forum is expected to create a platform for stakeholders to contribute ideas and initiatives on ASEAN's future vision, said Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Do Hung Viet.
This is a forum exclusively for ASEAN, of ASEAN, and for its people, where all stakeholders will share new initiatives to help ASEAN leaders devise strategies and visions for the group in the coming time, helping to bring practical benefits to people, he added./.
