Vietnamese Government leader stresses need to enhance ASEAN’s self-reliance
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh emphasized the importance of strengthening ASEAN's self-reliance through stepping up economic linkages, expanding the intra-bloc market, and facilitating trade and investment flows to maintain ASEAN’s stature and role of growth epicentre, in his speech at the plenary session of the 43rd ASEAN Summit in Jakarta, Indonesia on September 5.
PM Pham Minh Chinh speaks at the plenary session of the 43rd ASEAN Summit (Photo: VNA)
Jakarta (VNA)– Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh emphasized the importance of strengthening ASEAN'sself-reliance through stepping up economic linkages, expanding the intra-bloc market,and facilitating trade and investment flows to maintain ASEAN’s stature and roleof growth epicentre, in his speech at the plenary session of the 43rd ASEAN Summit in Jakarta, Indonesia on September 5.
The Vietnamese leaderurged ASEAN countries to urgently address policy and institutional bottlenecks and barriers,maintain the stability of the internal supply chain in order to improve theregion's resilience against external impacts.
PM Chinh also suggested ASEANeconomic ministers vigorously oversee the review, upgrade, and renegotiation offree trade agreements (FTAs) between ASEAN and its partners to create newimpetuses for regional economic development.
ASEAN needs to define thatensuring regional peace and security is first and foremost the responsibility of ASEAN, he stressed, adding that the group’s member statesmust uphold the spirit of unity, independence, and self-reliance, which shouldbe reflected in both words and actions.
At the event (Photo: VNA)
Only by doing so, can ASEAN uphold its role and receive real respect from itspartners, particularly powerful countries, he said.
He reaffirmed the corespirit of ASEAN, which considers people as the centre, the goal and the motivation of theASEAN Community-building process, towards narrowing the intra-bloc developmentgap, especially in remote regions and sub-regions.
PM Chinh took the occasionto announce that Vietnam will host an ASEAN future forum on rapid, sustainable, people-centered development to complement ASEAN's official forums andmechanisms, offering a chance for the exchange of ideas and initiatives forregional cooperation, and contributing to building a resilient and sustainableASEAN Community.
At the plenary, ASEANleaders approved several important documents such as declarations on inclusive developmentfor people with disabilities, family development and gender equality, enhancingfood security, a framework for ASEAN public health emergency coordination system,among others, which are expected to contribute to strengthening intra-regional effortsto build an ASEAN Community that places people at itscentre.
On the same day afternoon,PM Chinh will join other leaders from ASEAN member states at the openingsession of the ASEAN-Indo Pacific Forum (AIPF), which is initiative proposed by Indonesia during its ASEAN Chairmanshipin 2023.
Delegates will debate strategiccooperation directions for the future, focusing on green infrastructure anda self-reliant supply chain, digital transformation and innovative economy, and sustainablefinance and innovation./.
Negotiations on the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA) have been kicked off within the ASEAN Economic Community Council (AECC)’s 23rd meeting in Jakarta, demonstrating the strong cooperation among ASEAN member countries in promoting digital economic transformation in the region.
Addressing the opening ceremony of the 43rd Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit and related summits in Jakarta on September 5, Indonesian President Joko Widodo called on ASEAN and its partners to bolster equal and mutually beneficial cooperation in order to turn the region into an epicenter of the world’s economic growth.
ASEAN member states are working towards building an environmentally friendly economic bloc in line with ASEAN’s vision for 2045, Indonesian Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto said at the ASEAN Climate Forum in Jakarta.
Party General Secretary To Lam called on the criminal police force to accelerate the application of science, technology, artificial intelligence, and digital transformation in criminal investigation tasks such as crime prevention, detection, tracking and verification, ensuring that no area remains out of their reach.
Many Koreans living, studying, and working in Hanoi see the upcoming state visit to the Republic of Korea (RoK) by Party General Secretary To Lam as an opportunity to generate strong synergy in economic cooperation, people-to-people exchanges, and cultural understanding.
The achievements of the five decades of Vietnam–Angola cooperation provide a strong and enduring foundation, as well as momentum for the two sides to consolidate, expand, and bring their partnership into a new phase of development.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh stressed that the emulation and commendation work is a vital driver, fostering patriotism, dedication, and collective momentum in the run-up to the 11th National Patriotic Emulation Congress, Party congresses at all levels, and the 14th National Party Congress.
Emphasising the need for sustainable, long-term collaboration, National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man called on Japanese investors not only to bring in capital but also to share expertise and modern technology, especially in areas such as green transformation, the circular economy, and advanced corporate governance.
President Luong Cuong's activities during his state visit to Angola, the celebration of the financial sector's 80th traditional day, and the Foreign Ministry's flag-hoisting ceremony marking the 58th founding anniversary of ASEAN are among news highlights on August 8.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Thailand Pham Viet Hung praised the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ meaningful initiative, noting that the ASEAN Family Run was not only a sporting activity but also an opportunity for diplomats and their families to show unity, connection, and solidarity within the ASEAN family.
Politburo member, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on August 8 attended the first congress of the Party Organisation of Tay Ho ward of Hanoi for the 2025–2030 term, during which he called for fresh momentum to turn the ward into a model that takes the lead in all fields.
The size of the economy increased from over 5 billion USD in 1986 to over 476 billion USD by 2024, making Vietnam the fourth-largest economy in Southeast Asia and the 34th largest in the world.
The ASEAN flag-hoisting ceremony is observed by the 10 ASEAN member countries on August 8 every year, aiming to spread and promote the ASEAN identity and affirm the determination to unite and cooperate for the common aspiration of long-term peace and prosperity of Southeast Asian countries under the common roof of the ASEAN Community.
Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Nguyen Manh Cuong highlighted ASEAN’s nearly six decades of development, during which the region transformed from division to harmony, from confrontation to cooperation, and from poverty to dynamic growth, becoming a global bright spot for regional cooperation.
Thirty years ago, on July 28, 1995, Vietnam’s accession to ASEAN marked a historic strategic decision, opening a new chapter in the country’s integration process and beginning its strong rise.
Ambassador Vu Le Thai Hoang has outlined specific priorities and proposals for cooperation with the UNODA in preparation for the upcoming 11th Review Conference of the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT).
The Vietnamese Party leader's visit is therefore expected to mark a new stage in the development of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two countries, with a focus on such areas as digital transformation, supply chains, semiconductors, clean energy, and maritime security, Choe assessed.
At their meeting, which took place in the Angolan capital of Luanda on August 7 as part of State President Luong Cuong’s ongoing state visit to the African nation, the two officials also agreed to make full use of existing cooperation mechanisms, particularly the Vietnam – Angola Intergovernmental Committee, and step up exchanges of delegations at all levels.
President Luong Cuong's talks with his Angolan counterrpart João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço, Vietnamese leader's receptions for a delegation from the Japan – Vietnam Parliamentary Friendship Alliance, and the Government's regular meeting for July are among news highlights on August 7 evening.
Over the past five decades, the Vietnam - Angola relationship has grown steadily, marked by political trust and close bonds between their Parties, States, Governments, and peoples, said Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son.
President Luong Cuong called on the two countries to join hands to promote South – South cooperation, contribute to building a fair and equal global political and economic order, safeguard independence and sovereignty, and promote extensive and substantive international solidarity and cooperation.
President Luong Cuong called on the community to remain united, integrate well into local society, adhere to local laws, and continue contributing to both Angola’s development and Vietnam – Angola relations.
Vietnamese President Luong Cuong and Speaker of the National Assembly (NA) of Angola Carolina Cerqueira agreed to continue strengthening political trust, boost high-level delegation exchanges via all channels, including the parliamentary one, and create favourable legal conditions for bilateral cooperation.
PM Pham Minh Chinh speaks at the plenary session of the 43rd ASEAN Summit (Photo: VNA) 
At the event (Photo: VNA) 
