Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (C) and delegates pose for a group photo. (Photo: VNA)

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) must be more flexible and strengthen its central role to effectively address challenges in the current context, delegates said at the 1st and 2nd plenary sessions of the 2nd ASEAN Future Forum (AFF) which is being held in Hanoi on February 25 and 26.

At the first plenary session, which focused on megatrends shaping ASEAN and the world by 2035, coordinated by Dr. Dino Patti Djalal, Founder and Chairman of the Foreign Policy Community of Indonesia (FPCI), delegates shared insights and explored global shifts and key trends shaping the global landscape and ASEAN’s future through 2035.

Participants at the high-level plenary session of the second AFF. (Photo: VNA)

Key for ASEAN to adapt to new context

Regarding how ASEAN must change to adapt to the unpredictable world, Thai Minister of Foreign Affairs Maris Sangiampongsa said that no country can tackle challenges alone, and ASEAN member nations are no exceptions. Digital transformation must be a priority for ASEAN to keep pace with global development trends, he stressed.

Sangiampongsa also proposed key solutions for the bloc to address challenges, including developing the ASEAN Community; reaffirming the bloc’s central role; cooperating with major powers to maintain a favourable environment; and enhancing its influence in addressing global issues that impact the regional security architecture.

Prof. Simon Tay, Chairman of the Singapore Institute of International Affairs, said despite global uncertainties, ASEAN continues to prosper, reaffirming its belief in the need to strengthen its centrality through rules-based principles and enhanced trade cooperation.

Ambassador Nguyen Trung Thanh, former Head of Vietnam’s ASEAN SOM, said that despite global uncertainties, ASEAN will maintain its growth momentum, remain a beacon of peace, and manage differences and confrontations among nations.

According to Thanh, ASEAN can only succeed through strong intra-bloc cohesion and cooperation with external partners, and the group must also be more flexible to adapt to changing circumstances and ensure that no outside force makes decisions instead of the bloc.

Exploring new areas of cooperation

In the second plenary session on strengthening ASEAN’s foundational principles to address future challenges, coordinated by Prof. Dr. Mohd Faiz Abdullah, Chairman of the Institute of Strategic and International Studies (ISIS) of Malaysia, participants reviewed ASEAN’s core principles in the new geopolitical situation, highlighting the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific, as well as the opportunities and challenges posed by regional geopolitical shifts, thus underscoring the importance of promoting ASEAN-led mechanisms.

Delegates put forward proposals to advance the development of ASEAN, from institutional reforms to strengthening cooperation in new areas, thus promoting breakthrough solutions to help ASEAN maintain solidarity, enhance resilience, and preserve its core values and identity shaped over decades.

Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Prak Sokhonn noted that ASEAN’s advantage lies in its ability to navigate an unstable environment while maintaining peaceful coexistence and neutrality. He emphasised ASEAN’s efforts to resolve differences, ensure cohesion within the bloc and maintain its relations with partners.

ASEAN must strive to sustain its prosperity based on the foundation of peace, he said, stressing the importance of adhering to the UN Charter and international law.

Ambassador Pham Quang Vinh, former Deputy Minister of Foreign and former Head of ASEAN SOM of Vietnam, underlined the need to revitalise ASEAN’s cooperation in a more proactive approach, and foster deeper, more candid, and trust-based dialogue.

The bloc should increase dialogue with external partners and expand cooperation in areas of climate change response, geopolitical competition, science - technology, and green development, which are important to the region, and diversify ASEAN’s partnerships, he said.

In the afternoon of February 26, the two final plenary sessions will discuss issues related to governing emerging technologies to ensure comprehensive security, and ASEAN’s role in fostering cohesion and peace in a fragmented world./.