First announced in December 2024, the ASEAN Startup Year 2025 initiative marks a new chapter in ASEAN’s evolution as a globally significant innovation bloc.

Vietnam’s candidacy to the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) for the 2026-2035 tenure aims to contribute further to the efforts in strengthening the rule of law globally, according to Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the United Nations (UN).

The coast guards of Vietnam and China conducted a joint patrol from November 29 to December 1 on the waters adjacent to the demarcation line in the Gulf of Tonkin, contributing to strengthening peace, stability and the rule of law at sea.

The ASEAN-G7 Justice Ministers' Interface convened in Tokyo, Japan on July 7, aiming to foster cooperation among the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the Group of Seven (G7) countries in the field of law and justice.

Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the United Nations (UN), on October 7 affirmed Vietnam’s commitments to promoting the rule of law at the national and international levels while attending a debate on this issue chaired by the UN’s Sixth Committee (Legal).

Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son, officials from the ministries of Public Security and Justice, and some researchers and practitioners of international law in Vietnam are attending the 59th meeting of the Asian - African Legal Consultative Organisation (AALCO) via videoconference.

Ambassador Dang Dinh Quy, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the United Nations, has called on countries to respect the principle of peaceful settlement of international disputes, emphasising that the rule of law at the national and international levels play an important role in maintaining international peace and security, socio-economic development and ensuring human rights.

Vietnam's Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son on August 3 affirmed that ASEAN Plus Three cooperation in the past time has proved its value and promoted its role well in difficult times.

Indonesian Minister of Law and Human Rights Yasonna Laoly has urged ASEAN nations to strengthen legal integration in order to get their voices heard in the international community.

Vietnamese Ambassador Dang Dinh Quy on December 18 highlighted the country’s support for stronger cooperation between the UN Security Council (UNSC) and the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to promote the rule of law and help maintain global peace and security.

Vietnamese Vice Chairwoman of the National Assembly (NA) Tong Thi Phong proposed measures to promote respect for international law while addressing a plenum of the 141st Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU-141) on October 15.

Rising from wars, Vietnam has made continuous efforts to build a socialist state with the rule of law, which is of the people, by the people and for the people, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh has affirmed.

The rule of law at national and universal levels holds a significant role in ensuring peace, promoting sustainable development, and protecting human rights, Ambassador Dang Dinh Quy, Head of the Permanent Delegation of Vietnam to the UN, has said.

The implementation of regulations on grassroots democracy has helped tap the potential and creativity of the people in dealing with issues of localities and the country, Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong said at the national conference on grassroots democracy on July 16.

The national watchdog has made notable improvements in its work, but the problems of overlapping, delays and corruption persist, Inspector-General of the Government Inspectorate Le Minh Khai has acknowledged.

Vietnam commits to cooperating with the United Nations and its member states to promote the rule of law to realise sustainable development goals, said Ambassador Nguyen Phuong Nga, head of the permanent representative of Vietnam to the UN.

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has urged the capital city of Hanoi to develop in the direction of a green, smart city based on the rule of law during a working session with the city’s officials.

The Myanmar government on September 11 called on the international community to support its efforts to bring stability, peace and development to the northern Rakhine state.

The United States has withheld a major aid package to the Philippines because of significant concerns about the rule of law under President Rodrigo Duterte’s administration, said Molly Koscina, spokeswoman of the US Embassy in the Philippines on December 15.

The Supreme People’s Procuracy needs to continue to effectively implement the policies of the Party and State regarding the judiciary field, enhance socialist legislation, the President has said.