ASEAN: Epicenter of Peace, Cooperation and Development

Over the past 56 years, the ASEAN ASEAN has gradually asserted its position as a pillar of peace, an epicentre of growth and a hub for dialogue and cooperation in the region, Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son wrote in an article titled “ASEAN: Epicenter of Peace, Cooperation and Development” on the occasion of the 56th anniversary of the founding of ASEAN.

Born in the context of the transformation of Southeast Asia, facing countless challenges and “storms” coming from all directions, ASEAN has better understood the value of a peaceful, secure and stable environment.

The rules of conduct built by ASEAN have helped shape and direct cooperative relations towards the goal of peace, stability and common prosperity. The Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC) is a clear testimony to the efforts of the bloc. To date, the TAC, with 51 participating countries, has become a fundamental document and the basis of relations and behaviour among countries in the region.

Another example is the implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) and the ongoing negotiations on a Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC). These are ASEAN’s efforts to turn the East Sea into a sea of ​​peace, cooperation and sustainable development, as well as to build a culture of consultation and dialogue, according to Son.

With a total population of nearly 700 million and a GDP of nearly $4 trillion, ASEAN is a large, dynamic and promising economy. Overcoming the headwinds of the global economy, the group has helped create momentum and bring optimistic hope to the regional economy.

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Amid the gloomy colours of the global economic outlook, ASEAN is a bright spot of growth and an attractive investment destination. Its growth is projected to reach 4.7% in 2023 and 5% in 2024, far outpacing the global average. Last year, the bloc’s trade increased by almost 15% to $3.8 trillion, while foreign direct investment (FDI) rose by 5.5% to nearly $225 billion.

In the face of major global trends, ASEAN has rapidly adjusted its approach and pushed forward innovation and creativity in cooperation methods and contents toward green, clean and sustainable directions, while simultaneously seeking and expanding collaboration in new potential areas.

Many dramatic steps have been taken, such as the negotiation to upgrade the ASEAN Agreement on Trade in Goods, the bloc’s free trade agreements (FTAs) with China, the Republic of Korea, Japan and India; while many new initiatives have been launched, such as the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement, the Framework for a Circular Economy, the ASEAN Blue Economy Framework and the ASEAN Carbon Neutrality Strategy. They are the preparation for an ASEAN that proactively adapts to the various opportunities and challenges towards the goal of a sustainable and inclusive economy.

Regarding Vietnam’s presence in ASEAN, the foreign minister said Vietnam joined the grouping at the beginning of its renewal and integration process. The journey of nearly 30 years has demonstrated the country’s consistent policy of always making efforts and contributing its best for a united and strongly developing ASEAN.

With a total population of nearly 700 million and a GDP of nearly $4 trillion, ASEAN is a large, dynamic and promising economy.

Vietnam has gradually played a pivotal and leading role in many areas of ASEAN cooperation, he said.

The sense of responsibility and practical contributions of its ministries, sectors and localities have helped to affirm the image of a proactive, active, flexible and creative Vietnam, with an ever-increasing position and voice in the region and the world. Vietnam’s initiatives, especially through its ASEAN Chairmanship terms in 1998, 2010 and 2020, have left valuable assets for the group, creating momentum for promoting the process of building the ASEAN Community.

Foreign Minister Son quoted Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong as saying that Vietnam is committed to wholeheartedly caring for the sustainability of ASEAN’s common home, and the grouping’s cooperation and connectivity is a top priority and strategic choice of the nation.

Vietnam is committed to working with other member countries to realize the aspiration of a vigorously transforming ASEAN, which is truly the epicentre of peace, cooperation and development, the foreign minister added.