Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and ASEAN leaders enjoy sunset from a Pinisi boat on the waters of Labuan Bajo pier, West Manggarai, East Nusa Tenggara, in the framework of 42nd ASEAN Summit 2023 on May 10, 2023. (Photo: Anh Son)

Speaking at the 42nd ASEAN Summit in Indonesia, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh highlighted three core issues that determine ASEAN’s identity, vitality, value, and prestige. The first and foremost one is solidarity, unity, independence, self-reliance, self-determination, and ASEAN centrality – the foundational values of a successful ASEAN.

The message of solidarity has been prioritized by ASEAN leaders in any stage of ASEAN development.

It is crystal clear that solidarity, as represented in the “stalks of padi” in the ASEAN Emblem, has helped ASEAN bravely overcome great waves of challenges. On the ASEAN ship, its ten brotherly members live in both unity and diversity. Over 600 million ASEAN people are filled with emotions every time they look at the ASEAN flag fluttering together with their national flag, sharing the awareness of an ASEAN Community – the common roof of Southeast Asia. ASEAN is the master of its own fate and is taking its confident steps forward.

Given its maturity and success, ASEAN nurtured higher ambitions. The theme “ASEAN Matters: Epicentrum of Growth” presents ASEAN’s vitality and standing as the momentum of economic growth in the region and the world. Having achieved great geographic location, good timing, and people’s endeavors, ASEAN meets all criteria to become a community that matters, the epicentrum of growth.

There will be thorny paths on the journey of realizing aspirations, at the same time there exists the gems of the lighthouses illuminating our path. It is ASEAN’s strong determination throughout 56 years that will guide the Association to reach its goals. From strategy to action, the Declaration of ASEAN Concord IV expected to be adopted in the upcoming 43rd ASEAN Summit will act as a long-term guideline to ensure ASEAN’s capacity against future challenges, while maintaining the sustainability of the theme “ASEAN Matters: Epicentrum of Growth.”

ASEAN leaders attend the opening ceremony of the 43rd ASEAN Summit 2023 in Jakarta, Indonesia on September 5, 2023. (Photo: Anh Soơn)

As emphasized by ASEAN General Secretary Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, the most outstanding achievement of ASEAN over the past 56 years is the maintenance of peace and security, and the expansion to 10 member countries, soon becoming 11 with the admission of Timor-Leste, gathering the entire Southeast Asia into one community.

Since joining ASEAN in 1995, Viet Nam has actively participated and contributed to regional integration and community building. We have left our imprints in every stage of ASEAN development during the last 28 years. We are devoted to ASEAN, the home of over 100 million ASEAN people, and have always strived to make substantial and effective contributions to ASEAN Community building. Along with that, Viet Nam affirms the consistent guidelines and unified policy of the Party and State in attaching im-portance to ASEAN cooperation.

Another highlight marking Vietnam's steady growth in ASEAN is the ASEAN Chairmanship in 2010. With the theme "Towards the ASEAN Community: From Vision to Action", Vietnam has oriented ASEAN to focus on promoting action, emphasizing the "implementation" element of efforts to realize the vision of the ASEAN Community, along with the adoption of the Master Plan on ASEAN connectivity.

With the motto "proactive, positive and responsible", Vietnam participates extensively and comprehensively in ASEAN cooperation in all fields. During the ASEAN Chairmanship in 2020, Vietnam chaired a mid-term assessment of the ASEAN Community Vision 2025 and guidance on building the ASEAN Community Vision after 2025. This can be considered one of the most important advices to other ASEAN members.

Vietnam's proposals and initiatives in ASEAN forums, such as the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) and the ASEAN Defense Minister's Meeting (ADMM+), are supported by ASEAN countries and partners, contributing to strengthening dialogue, building trust and improving the ability to respond to emerging non-traditional security threats, maintaining peace, security and stability in the region.