AFF 2025: Vietnam's efforts shape united, inclusive, resilient region
The ASEAN Future Forum 2025, “Building a United, Inclusive, and Resilient ASEAN amidst Global Transformation,” will focus on creating a cohesive and adaptive ASEAN capable of navigating the volatile global landscape.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Malaysia Dinh Ngoc Linh. (Photo: VNA)
Kuala Lumpur (VNA) - 𝕴Vietnam hopes that the ASEAN Future Forum (AFF) will become an important annual platform for ASEAN countries, partners, and international organisations to exchange ideas and find practical solutions to advance regional development in the face of global uncertainties, said Vietnamese Ambassador to Malaysia Dinh Ngoc Linh.
In a recent interview with the Vietnam News Agency ahead of Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s participation in the AFF 2025 in Hanoi, Linh said the forum is one of Vietnam's largest multilateral events in 2025, reflecting the country's long-term vision and proactive approach to regional and global cooperation.
Malaysian PM Anwar Ibrahim. (Photo: IRNA/VNA)
While last year’s forum centered on economic challenges and sustainable development, this year’s theme, “Building a United, Inclusive, and Resilient ASEAN amidst Global Transformation,” will focus on creating a cohesive and adaptive ASEAN capable of navigating the volatile global landscape.
The event will also highlight ASEAN’s proactive role in fostering a united, inclusive, and resilient community, ensuring sustainable growth, regional security, and strengthening international cooperation. It serves as an opportunity for Vietnam to affirm its leadership and responsibility in the region, contributing positively to ASEAN's collective development, the ambassador added.
The participation of Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim in the forum as ASEAN Chair for 2025 underscores Malaysia’s appreciation for Vietnam’s initiative and the forum's role in shaping the grouping's future, Linh said, saying this also deepens Vietnam-Malaysia relations, not only within ASEAN but also across various bilateral cooperation fields.
Prime Minister Anwar’s visit also marks the beginning of a pivotal year for the implementation of the Vietnam-Malaysia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, which was upgraded in late 2024. This milestone affirms both nations' commitment to enhancing bilateral ties, expanding cooperation across various sectors, and contributing to peace, stability, and development in the region.
Ambassador Linh stressed that 2025 will be a key year in advancing the partnership to new heights, urging both nations to address existing barriers, unlock resources, and accelerate business collaboration in this new phase of relationship./.
A Vietnamese delegation, led by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son, attended the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Retreat (AMM Retreat) in Langkawi, Malaysia, on January 19.
The State President stressed that amid ongoing conflicts and tensions in many regions around the world, the ASEAN member states must work together to maintain a peaceful environment for development. He called for stronger solidarity and enhanced political trust among the regional nations.
The ASEAN Spouses Circle (ASC) and its partners have applauded Vietnam’s successful presidency of the circle in 2024 at a recent meeting held in Washington, D.C.
Nghia affirmed that this is a milestone of special significance, affirming and honouring the the Vietnamese revolutionary press’s glorious tradition of 100 years of serving the revolutionary cause of the Party, serving the Fatherland, and serving the people.
The Party and State of Vietnam always attach great importance to and give top priority to the development of Vietnam–China relations. Vietnam is ready to work with the Chinese Party and State to further deepen the Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership and promote the building of the Vietnam-China community with a shared future that carries strategic significance.
Under the leadership of President Ho Chi Minh and the CPV, President Cuong said, the press has been a steadfast force on the ideological and cultural front, rallying the masses to pursue national aspirations.
NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man stressed the need to accelerate the application of artificial intelligence and smart teaching equipment, innovate teaching and assessment methods, and further improve the quality of formal education.
He also pledged that the NA will promote its ongoing supervision, making sure that every promise must lead to results, and every commitment must bring about real changes.
Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien welcomed the proposals put forward by the US side and reiterated Vietnam’s request for consideration of key areas of interest, including reciprocal tariff policies and access for Vietnamese key export products to the US market.
Deputy PM Le Thanh Long proposed countries promote shared values, including building trust, sincerity, and solidarity among nations and peoples; fostering cooperation spirit and responsible behaviour as well as upholding international law and the UN Charter; and placing people at the centre and as the goal, the key player, and the driving force of all policies.
The show, together with a grand parade to be held silmutaneously at Ba Dinh Square in Hanoi, will celebrate the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution, the National Day, and the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army (VPA).
In particular, in April 2023, the two sides successfully carried out a joint operation that dismantled a major organised, transnational drug trafficking ring involving both Vietnamese and Cambodian suspects.
The Vietnamese Embassy in Israel is closely coordinating with relevant local agencies to stay informed and provide the utmost support possible for Vietnamese nationals.
The launch of Thanh Nien (Young People) newspaper in 1925, even before the founding of the Communist Party of Vietnam, is considered a testament to President Ho Chi Minh’s strategic foresight and strong belief in the guiding power of the revolutionary media.
New Zealand is currently one of Vietnam’s most important partners in the region, marked by a high level of political trust, strong and reliable defence and security cooperation, and increasingly open economic, trade, and investment ties.
Party General Secretary To Lam stressed that the Central Public Security Party Committee must be fully aware of the extremely important role of the People's Public Security force in the country's new revolutionary phase, so as to guide each branch and level of the force as the nation undergoes transformation.
Addressing concerns over university education spending, Son explained that as public universities gain greater autonomy, the Ministry of Finance has scaled back recurrent state funding. “Over the past decade, as autonomy has increased, the State's support has steadily declined”, he noted
Lao Minister of Foreign Affairs Thongsavanh Phomvihane affirmed that the presence of Vietnamese press offices in Laos vividly demonstrates the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between the two nations, as the press is not only a means of communication but also an important bridge for spreading consciousness about the history, values, and strategic depth of the Laos – Vietnam relationship to the people of both countries and the international community.
The country is willing to participate in collective efforts to promote cooperation and mobilise resources to advance the current priority issues of developing countries, such as trade, investment, infrastructure connectivity, making the most of scientific and technological advances for development, and people-to-people exchanges, Hang said.
During the negotiations, the US highly evaluated Vietnam’s goodwill and efforts, affirmed its appreciation for the bilateral relationship, acknowledged Vietnam’s proposals and concerns, and considered these an important basis for continuing discussions and moving towards a final agreement.
