PM Chính Calls for “Inclusivity and Sustainability” as Strategic Pillars of ASEAN at 47th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur, The Gulf Observer: Vietnamese Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính, together with leaders of ASEAN member states, attended the Plenary and Retreat Sessions of the 47th ASEAN Summit on Sunday, chaired by Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.
In his remarks, Prime Minister Chính underscored that “inclusivity and sustainability” are both the strategic choice and essential requirement for ASEAN in navigating today’s complex and volatile global landscape. He proposed that the regional bloc harness three key sources of strategic strength to achieve this vision: strengthening solidarity, enhancing internal dynamism, and fostering innovation and creativity.
Prior to discussions, ASEAN leaders heard presentations from distinguished guests — Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, President of the European Council Antonio Costa, and IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva — who shared insights on global challenges and praised ASEAN as a model of effective multilateral cooperation. Georgieva noted that ASEAN’s continued focus on institutional reform, private sector growth, intra-regional trade, and tariff elimination could increase regional GDP by 4.3 percent and generate four million new jobs.
ASEAN leaders commended Malaysia for its leadership during the ASEAN Chairmanship Year 2025, particularly in advancing efforts to build a sustainable and inclusive community, strengthening trade and investment flows, and deepening relations with partners. Key milestones included the signing of the Protocol to upgrade the ASEAN–China Free Trade Area 3.0 and progress in implementing the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).
The leaders also reaffirmed their commitment to the ASEAN Community Vision 2045, emphasizing the importance of unity, self-reliance, and resilience, while continuing to narrow development gaps, promote digital transformation, and address climate change challenges. They further agreed on the need to uphold ASEAN’s centrality and solidarity to maintain regional peace, stability, and prosperity.
On regional and international matters, the leaders welcomed the peace agreement between Cambodia and Thailand and reiterated support for the effective implementation of ASEAN’s Five-Point Consensus on Myanmar, prioritizing a ceasefire, cessation of violence, resumption of dialogue, and humanitarian assistance.
Addressing the East Sea issue, the leaders reaffirmed ASEAN’s consistent stance on maintaining peace, stability, and freedom of navigation, calling for full and effective implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties (DOC) and the early conclusion of a substantive and effective Code of Conduct (COC) in accordance with international law, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
Prime Minister Chính congratulated Malaysia and Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim for their successful Chairmanship, marking the first year of implementation of the ASEAN Community Vision 2045. He also warmly congratulated Timor-Leste on becoming ASEAN’s 11th member, affirming that Việt Nam will share its integration experience and support Timor-Leste in joining regional cooperation mechanisms.
Outlining his three strategic proposals, PM Chính first stressed that ASEAN must enhance solidarity and unity to effectively implement shared strategies and action plans. Second, he urged greater intra-regional connectivity, economic linkages, and cooperation in green, digital, circular, and creative economies. He also called for closer coordination in combating cybercrime and drug trafficking, and stronger development ties among sub-regions, highlighting the upcoming Cambodia–Laos–Myanmar–Việt Nam (CLMV) Summit in 2026, which Việt Nam will chair.
Third, he emphasized the importance of innovation and creativity as new growth drivers, calling for the swift completion of frameworks such as the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement and the ASEAN Digital Master Plan, along with the development of cross-border data governance and an ASEAN Innovation Centre Network.
Prime Minister Chính also announced that Việt Nam will host the third ASEAN Future Forum in 2026 to nurture ideas for an inclusive and sustainable future for the region.
Reiterating Việt Nam’s commitment to peace and stability, PM Chính called on ASEAN to maintain solidarity and its principled position on the East Sea, uphold international law including UNCLOS 1982, and work towards a binding and effective COC. He also stressed that disputes should be resolved through peaceful means, guided by the ASEAN Charter, the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC), and international law.
Regarding Myanmar, the Prime Minister noted that the situation is a test of ASEAN’s credibility and crisis management capacity, urging stronger engagement with relevant parties to promote ceasefire, dialogue, and reconciliation as foundations for a fair and inclusive electoral process.
PM Chính expressed confidence in the Philippines’ upcoming ASEAN Chairmanship in 2026 under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., pledging Việt Nam’s full cooperation and support. He expressed his belief that ASEAN, under the Philippines’ leadership, will achieve new milestones in community-building, strengthening regional unity, and advancing the bloc’s central role for the benefit of its people, businesses, and localities.
