Speaking at the 58th ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting (AMM-58) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia today, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son highlighted the core values behind ASEAN's success, including unity and mutual respect, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

He proposed three key directions for ASEAN moving forward. One key goal is to establish ASEAN as a leading digital community.

To achieve this, the Deputy Prime Minister said ASEAN needs to accelerate negotiations on the Digital Economy Framework Agreement, ensuring it meets practical needs, especially those of small, medium, and micro enterprises.

ASEAN also needs to integrate new growth drivers such as digital transformation and the innovation ecosystem within its cooperation framework to attract resources and technical support.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son at the 58th ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 9/7. Photo: BNG

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son at the 58th ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 9/7. Photo: BNG

These efforts need to be implemented in both ASEAN's programs and sub-regional cooperation to create synergy and mutual support. He added that as chair of the ASEAN Connectivity Coordinating Committee (ACCC), Vietnam will work closely with other countries to implement these aspects in the ACCC's next work plan.

The Foreign Minister also outlined two other key directions: positioning ASEAN to become the world's 4th largest economy by 2030 and building a community truly centered on its people.

Regarding the economic goal, ASEAN needs to continue prioritizing maintaining strong economic growth. Along with promoting intra-bloc economic connectivity and effectively implementing the upgraded ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA), the bloc needs to review and utilize existing free trade agreements (FTAs) and expand inter-regional economic connectivity to diversify markets, products, and supply chains.

Regarding the community goal, Minister Bui Thanh Son emphasized that ASEAN needs to strengthen its connection with its citizens. ASEAN's role should not only be evident through high-level statements, but more importantly, through practical and concrete actions. Vietnam plans to soon develop a plan to implement the ASEAN 2045 strategic document at the national level, aiming to bring the bloc closer to local people and businesses.

At the plenary session of AMM-58, the foreign ministers focused on implementing the decisions of the leaders at the 46th ASEAN Summit and future directions for the ASEAN Community building process.

The ASEAN Geo-Economic Task Force shared assessments of the risks and impacts of global geo-economic fragmentation, emphasizing ASEAN's need to adapt effectively by strengthening internal capacity, deepening integration, and promoting new rules of the game. The task force is expected to submit a report with specific recommendations to the 47th ASEAN Summit in October.

The foreign ministers emphasized that ASEAN needs to continue strengthening faith in multilateralism and adapting to geopolitical shifts, with the central task of maintaining a long-term vision combined with a clear strategy. ASEAN needs to continue promoting its role in creating space for cooperation, fostering dialogue, and strategic trust.

Regarding future ASEAN cooperation directions, the countries agreed to urgently implement the ASEAN Community Vision 2045 and new strategies, emphasizing increased intra-bloc trade and investment, trade facilitation, expanding regional connectivity in infrastructure, power grids, energy, and digital connectivity, while also diversifying relations with partners.

ASEAN needs to continue prioritizing enhancing the region's adaptability to new growth drivers as well as responding to the impacts of climate change, natural disasters, and extreme weather events.

"ASEAN was not born in favorable circumstances, but was forged from instability, complexity, and division. From that, ASEAN learned how to cooperate, together preserving peace and developing prosperity," Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said at the opening ceremony of the conference.

Thuy Lam