Hanoi to Host Inaugural ASEAN Future Forum to Shape the Region’s Future
Hanoi, The Gulf Observer: The capital city of Hanoi is set to host the first-ever ASEAN Future Forum (AFF) on April 23, a groundbreaking initiative spearheaded by Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính. The AFF aims to facilitate multilateral dialogue and comprehensive discussions on pivotal issues shaping the future development of the ASEAN region.
Conceived as a platform for multilateral engagement, the ASEAN Future Forum seeks to generate pragmatic policy recommendations for ASEAN leaders, foster deeper understanding and cooperation among stakeholders, and chart a sustainable, people-centered path for ASEAN’s future. The forum’s outcomes will also feed into the forthcoming UN Summit of the Future scheduled for September.
Announced during a press conference at the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam in Hanoi, the AFF comprises an opening session, two plenary sessions, and various auxiliary activities. The opening session will feature addresses from high-level leaders of Vietnam, current and incoming ASEAN Chair countries, the ASEAN Secretary-General, and the Secretary-General of the United Nations.
Plenary session one, themed “ASEAN’s Rapid Development for a Sustainable Future,” will delve into strategies for fostering the ASEAN community’s future growth. Meanwhile, the second plenary session will focus on ensuring comprehensive security for a people-centered ASEAN Community.
Additionally, two parallel working lunch sessions will be held, exploring themes such as “Repositioning ASEAN’s central role” and “Seizing development opportunities in the Digital Age.”
Preceding the main event, on April 22, the ASEAN Secretary-General’s dialogue with youth will take center stage. This dialogue, a highlight of the AFF 2024, offers Vietnamese and ASEAN youth a platform to deepen their understanding of ASEAN, articulate their aspirations, and propose recommendations for the region’s future trajectory.
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Đỗ Hùng Việt, speaking at the press conference, underscored the pressing need for ASEAN to address emerging challenges in today’s dynamic global landscape.
“The ASEAN Future Forum initiative reflects Vietnam’s commitment, alongside other nations, to provide a forum for collective dialogue and collaboration in navigating the uncertainties of the present and future,” remarked Việt.
As anticipation builds for the inaugural ASEAN Future Forum, stakeholders across the region eagerly anticipate the platform’s contributions to shaping a resilient, prosperous future for ASEAN.
