Hanoi (VNA) – The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)should have a strategic and comprehensive vision, and improve its resilience capacityto grasp opportunities and handle global headwinds for stable and sustainable development,Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh said on April 23.

In his opening remarks at the ASEAN Future Forum 2024 in Hanoi, PM Chinh calledon the bloc to be consistent with its global, all-people and comprehensiveapproach to stay strong in any circumstances, and realise its goal of developing adynamic, connected and resilient community by 2045.

Against this backdrop, he suggested ASEAN enhance solidarity and cooperation,bolster unity in diversity, promote its central role, respect differences andensure hamornised benefits, and stay steadfast with its principles on regionaland global security and development.

It is necessary for the bloc to boost strategic confidence within itself andwith its partners, helping prevent conflicts and maintain peace, security,stability and prosperity in the region and the world, he said, adding ASEANshould step up digital transformation and green development while renewingtraditional growth locomotives and creating new and sustainable ones for thecoming time.

He recommended the bloc enhance harmonised, sustainable and inclusivedevelopment, and not sacrifice social progress and justice and theenvironment to pursue pure economic growth, adding it should mobilise resourcesand create strategic breakthroughs in mechanisms, human resources,infrastructure and national management.

The Vietnamese Government leader expressed his belief that ASEAN, together withinternational communities, will continue active contributions to shaping up theworld’s future.

He went on to say that ASEAN is a leading priority in Vietnam’s foreign,economic and defence-security policies, and the country has made its concertedefforts for a united and strong ASEAN community which has an increasing role and positionin the region and the world.

Vietnam will continue joining hands with ASEAN member states and partners toweave more success stories and open up a new strategic future for an ASEANCommunity of dynamism, resilience, solidarity and unity in diversity, makingcontributions to regional and global peace, stability, cooperation and development,he affirmed.

The forum, the initiative of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, was organisedunder the theme of “Toward Fast and Sustainable Growth of a People-centredASEAN Community”. It drew the participation of nearly 500 delegates, including ASEANSecretary General Kao Kim Hourn, government officials, business leaders, scholarsand partner nations.

Measures to ensure the harmony between economic development and environment,and improve climate change response were on the table at the event./.