Special significance of 48th ASEAN Summit

The Vietnamese Prime Minister is set to participate in the 48th ASEAN Summit and related Summits in Cebu, the Philippines from May 7-8 at the invitation of Philippine President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr, Chair of ASEAN in 2026.

According to the Vietnamese Ambassador, Le's presence in Cebu clearly demonstrates Viet Nam's determination to consistently implement the foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, resilience, peace, friendship, cooperation, and development, along with the diversification and multilateralization of external relations, which was adopted at the 14th National Party Congress.

Within this framework, ASEAN continues to be affirmed as one of Viet Nam's top strategic priorities, closely connected with the country's security and development process.

Therefore, Viet Nam not only contributes responsibly but also proactively shapes cooperation agendas, proposes initiatives, and leads discussions on key regional issues.

The Prime Minister attends the summit with a spirit of making substantive contributions to the region's response to geopolitical fluctuations, energy and food shocks, and competitive pressures among major powers, including specific initiatives such as a response framework to address the significant spillover impacts of the Middle East conflict.

According to Ton, Viet Nam will closely work with other ASEAN countries to effectively implement the priorities of the 2026 ASEAN Chairmanship and the ASEAN Community Vision 2045, aiming toward a resilient, dynamic, innovative, and people-centered community.

Viet Nam will also work with ASEAN to continue upholding international law, strengthening a peaceful and stable environment, expanding economic connectivity, and deepening relations with partners, thereby further affirming ASEAN's central role in the regional architecture, she added.

On the sidelines of the summit, Prime Minister Le is scheduled to hold bilateral meetings with ASEAN leaders to strengthen friendship, enhance political trust, and promote substantive and effective cooperation.

These meetings will be his first direct engagements with ASEAN leaders in his new role, contributing to positive momentum for bilateral relations as well as the overall cohesion of the community, underlined the diplomat.

As ASEAN Chair in 2026, the Philippines has set the theme "Navigating Our Shared Future" and outlined three major directions for regional cooperation: strengthening key pillars of peace and security, expanding corridors of prosperity, and empowering people.

The 48th ASEAN Summit is one of two regular annual meetings of regional leaders in 2026. It serves as an important platform for leaders to exchange comprehensive assessments of global and regional developments, and to align on strategic directions and measures to enhance ASEAN cooperation.

The Philippines has proposed that this summit focus on three key areas: ensuring energy security, food security, and the protection of ASEAN citizens. At the same time, it emphasizes continuing efforts to advance strategic priorities, including strengthening intra-regional connectivity, enhancing resilience and strategic autonomy, and maintaining ASEAN centrality, in line with the goals of the ASEAN Community Vision 2045.

Established in 1967, the ASEAN groups Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, the Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Viet Nam, Myanmar, and Timor Leste./.