At the ASEAN Summit in Laos, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh emphasized that ASEAN should use resilience as the foundation, connectivity as the key to breakthrough, and innovation as the driving force for leadership.
The summit welcomed leaders from ASEAN nations, Timor-Leste, and various international and regional organizations.
Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone of Laos and his spouse welcome Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh to the National Convention Center. Photo: Nhat Bac
At the 44th and 45th ASEAN Summits and related meetings, which officially opened on October 9 in Vientiane, Laos, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh emphasized the need for ASEAN to focus on resilience as the foundation, connectivity as the key to breakthroughs, and innovation as the driving force for leadership.
"ASEAN should prioritize building resilience as a foundation to elevate itself, focus on connectivity for breakthroughs, and embrace innovation as the primary driver to lead," Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh said in his address.
Welcoming the ASEAN leaders and other attendees, Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone of Laos expressed his pride as Laos took on the role of ASEAN Chair for the third time. He noted that the summit provides an opportunity for ASEAN nations to review the progress of the ASEAN Community and set new directions for future development and cooperation.
In his opening remarks, General Secretary and President of Laos, Thongloun Sisoulith, expressed deep appreciation for the valuable support of ASEAN members, friends, and partners. He reflected on ASEAN’s journey from its inception, highlighting the formation of the ASEAN Community in 2015, which has since become a home for over 700 million people and is the third-largest economy in Asia, expected to rank fourth globally by 2030.
General Secretary and President Thongloun Sisoulith of Laos delivers his speech at the ASEAN Summit. Photo: Nhat Bac
Following the opening ceremony, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh joined other ASEAN leaders and Timor-Leste at the plenary session to discuss key cooperation matters within ASEAN and with its partners.
During the session, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh emphasized the significance of solidarity and mutual support, referring to it as “the core value and source of ASEAN’s strength.”
The Prime Minister further noted that despite global challenges, ASEAN remains a global economic beacon, facilitating dialogue, cooperation, and integration. He highlighted that new cooperation frameworks - such as the digital economy, blue ocean economy, and circular economy - are steadily shaping the region’s collaborative efforts.
In alignment with the ASEAN 2024 theme of "Fostering Connectivity and Resilience," Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh urged ASEAN to strengthen its resilience and strategic autonomy to navigate global challenges. He shared key directions for ASEAN’s future, calling for a focus on leveraging internal resources to maintain stability and swiftly addressing external risks.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, along with ASEAN leaders, attends the opening session of the ASEAN Summit. Photo: Nhat BacPrime Minister Pham Minh Chinh delivers his remarks at the plenary session of the ASEAN Summit. Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac
The delegation of the Vietnamese Government and other nations attend the ASEAN Summit. Photo: Nhat BacPrime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and ASEAN leaders participate in the ASEAN Summit. Photo: Nhat Bac
Regarding connectivity, the Prime Minister called for further investment in high-quality infrastructure, encouraging cooperation with external partners to enhance ASEAN's strategic positioning.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh also emphasized the importance of innovation, identifying it as the "main engine for ASEAN to keep pace with and surpass other regions in the global race." He advocated for developing a regional innovation ecosystem and strengthening governance for emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence.
As ASEAN prepares for the next phase of its journey, the Prime Minister reaffirmed Vietnam’s commitment to regional cooperation, announcing plans to host the ASEAN Future Forum 2025. He expressed his hopes for continued support from ASEAN members to ensure the success of this event.
Additionally, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh reaffirmed Vietnam’s close cooperation with Malaysia, the incoming ASEAN Chair for 2025, to mark 10 years of the ASEAN Community.
Vietnamnet.vn
Podcast
.svg){kind=icon}
