On the morning of June 9, in Hanoi, Prime Minister Le Minh Hung attended and delivered a keynote speech at the opening session of the ASEAN Future Forum 2026 (AFF 2026) with the theme “Shaping Our Future Together: Peace, Prosperity, People-Centered”.

Prime Minister Le Minh Hung speaks at the event.

The World and Vietnam Reports is pleased to present full text translation (unofficial) of the Prime Minister's speech at this important event.

“Distinguished Leaders of ASEAN Member States,

Esteemed Guests,

I am very honoured to speak at the 3rd ASEAN Future Forum (AFF) in Hanoi. On behalf of the Government of Vietnam, I extend my respectful greetings and sincere sentiments to all of you. Your presence today is a vivid testament to the friendship, trust, and solidarity for a region of peace, stability, and sustainable development.

Allow me to extend my respectful greetings to Mr. Sonexay Siphandone, Prime Minister of the Lao People's Democratic Republic; Mr. Hun Manet, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia; Mr. Anutin Charnvirakul, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand; Mr. Xanana Gusmao, Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste; and Mr. Kao Kim Hourn, Secretary-General of ASEAN.

Distinguished Guests,

The ASEAN Future Forum 2026 holds special significance. The theme of the Forum reflects the core values ASEAN is pursuing and guides the future direction of the Association in the coming period. Therefore, I would like to begin with a question that is not new about the future. In a world undergoing profound changes, the question for us today is not only how ASEAN will adapt but how ASEAN will shape its own future in the 21st century?

After 59 years of formation and development, ASEAN's greatest achievement is not only in its population size of nearly 700 million people or its position as one of the most dynamic growth centers in the world but in its efforts to transcend differences, build trust, and expand cooperation to become a united, resilient Community, unified in diversity.

If the nearly six decades past have been a journey of building ASEAN's identity, the coming decades will be a journey of shaping ASEAN's future in a world where the foundational rules of the global economy, technology, and power are being rewritten. Technology is redefining competitiveness. Artificial intelligence is redefining productivity. Data is redefining power. And the green transition is redefining development models.

In such a pivotal moment, the advantage does not only belong to countries with large resources but also to countries and regions capable of participating in shaping the new rules and norms of the era. Vietnam believes that ASEAN needs and must become an active player in that process – a place not only receiving global trends but also a driver contributing to shaping those very trends!

To realize that aspiration, ASEAN needs to continue to promote the spirit of solidarity, resilience, and unity in diversity – the values that have made its success – but with a more innovative approach: Consensus on values but dynamic in action, steadfast in principles but innovative in methods, steadfast in identity but proactive in creating opportunities amid the changes of the new era.

Distinguished Guests,

On the journey to realize the ASEAN Community Vision 2045, I believe ASEAN should aim for three strategic dimensions:

First, not only participating in global trends but also contributing to shaping those trends.

For many decades, ASEAN has been one of the regions benefiting from peace, integration, and open trade. But in an increasingly fragmented and fiercely competitive world, ASEAN needs to have a stronger voice in participating in building new norms, rules, and cooperation structures, resolving differences based on international law.

ASEAN needs to become a center of dialogue, a focal point of cooperation, and a foundation of trust. This is ASEAN's special contribution to peace, stability, and development in the region and the world.

Second, not only a production center but also a center of innovation.

Labour advantages and geographical location have made ASEAN an important link in the global supply chain. But in the digital era, the future does not belong to economies that only know how to produce but also to those that know how to innovate. ASEAN should not only be a place where technology is consumed but must become a place where technology is created, not only a place where supply chains pass through but must become a place where value chains are shaped.

This requires ASEAN to invest more strongly in science and technology, innovation, the digital economy, and high-quality human resources, moving towards forming a technological and digital ecosystem with ASEAN's identity – reflecting our own values while positively contributing to the formation of common global standards.

Third, not only a community of nations but also a true community of people.

The ultimate goal of every development strategy is not growth figures but the quality of life of the people. We believe that innovation that increases the gap is not progress. And growth without inclusiveness cannot be sustainable.

Therefore, a successful ASEAN is not only measured by GDP but by the opportunities created for the younger generation, the roles given to women, the protection provided to vulnerable groups, and the extent to which every citizen feels this is truly the community they belong to.

Distinguished Guests,

ASEAN's greatest value over nearly 60 years is proving to the world that differences do not lead to division, unity does not eliminate diversity, and integration does not lose identity. ASEAN's greatest value in the coming decades will prove that a united and resilient community can actively participate in shaping peace, cooperation, and development in the region and the world.

On that journey, Vietnam is strongly committed to continuing to accompany ASEAN with the aspiration to shape the future, with all our hearts and minds, because Vietnam's future is tied to ASEAN's future as well as to the common peace, stability, and prosperity of the entire region.

Thank you very much!”