Vietnamese Prime Minister Outlines Three-Point Vision for ASEAN Amid Rising Global Uncertainty at 48th ASEAN Summit
Cebu, The Gulf Observer: Vietnamese Prime Minister Lê Minh Hưng has presented a three-pronged strategic proposal for strengthening ASEAN cooperation amid growing geopolitical instability and an increasingly uncertain global environment, while addressing the retreat session of the 48th ASEAN Summit held in Cebu on Friday.
The retreat session focused on regional responses to the ongoing energy crisis driven by geopolitical tensions, as well as broader lessons for Southeast Asia.
Emphasizing ASEAN’s evolving role in global affairs, the Prime Minister urged the bloc to take a leadership position in safeguarding international norms. First, he called on ASEAN to uphold rules-based order and reinforce trust in international relations through consistent promotion of multilateralism and respect for international law. He further stressed ASEAN’s responsibility in ensuring security, safety, and freedom of navigation and overflight both regionally and globally.
Regarding the East Sea, he underscored the importance of cooperation with China to fully and effectively implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC), and to accelerate the conclusion of a substantive and effective Code of Conduct in line with international law, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), in accordance with the agreed roadmap.
Second, highlighting the need for preparedness in a volatile global environment, he urged ASEAN to strengthen its capacity for crisis anticipation, prevention, and management. Drawing lessons from other global conflicts, he recommended more effective use of existing mechanisms, including ASEAN’s cooperation frameworks with dialogue partners, to promote trust-building and preventive diplomacy. He also emphasized better utilization of dispute settlement tools under the ASEAN Charter and the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation to resolve differences through dialogue.
Third, he stressed that strengthening strategic autonomy and reinforcing ASEAN centrality remain essential for the bloc’s resilience. In the context of intensifying major-power competition and pressure to take sides, he called for greater unity, solidarity, and balanced engagement with external partners. He further urged ASEAN to maintain its central role in shaping regional agendas while expanding its development space through enhanced external relations.
During the retreat, ASEAN leaders expressed concern over the widespread impact of recent geopolitical developments, particularly conflicts in the Middle East, on regional stability. They agreed on the need to reinforce solidarity and deepen cooperation to enhance strategic autonomy.
Leaders also stressed the importance of ASEAN speaking with a stronger unified voice on key international issues, including maritime security, freedom of navigation, and regional stability, with the aim of ensuring lasting peace, security, and development in Southeast Asia through ASEAN.
