Vietnamese Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien called for greater efforts to bring into full play the 18 priority economic cooperation initiatives in 2025, and continue exploring new collaboration opportunities with emerging partners, including the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).

PM Pham Minh Chinh considered the meeting with his Lao counterpart as an opportunity for the two PMs to discuss measures for translating high-level political agreements into concrete action.

In his opening speech, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim expressed Malaysia’s honour to take the 2025 ASEAN Chairmanship. Noting the significance of 2025 as the 10th founding anniversary of the ASEAN Community, he underscored the summit’s role in shaping the bloc’s future through the adoption of the ASEAN Community Vision 2045.

It demonstrates Vietnam’s strong support for Malaysia’s role as the ASEAN Chair this year and reflects the shared determination for build a community that embodies sustainability, inclusiveness, solidarity and strength while consolidating ASEAN’s central role in regional peace and stability, Viet said.