Commemorating the 57th anniversary of ASEAN: a journey of regional cohesion and resilience

Minister of Foreign Affairs Bùi Thanh Sơn. VNA/VNS Photo

HÀ NỘI — On the occasion of the 57th anniversary of ASEAN’s founding, Vietnam News Agency is pleased to present an article by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bùi Thanh Sơn, entitled ‘ASEAN: A Journey of Regional Cohesion and Resilience’.

Below is the complete translation of the article:

Fifty-seven years ago, the journey of ASEAN began with the Bangkok Declaration on August 8 1967, a document of just two humble pages. Despite its brevity, it embodied the aspirations for lasting peace and prosperity for future generations. The formation of ASEAN, alongside the region’s historical transformations, enabled Southeast Asia to overcome past divisions and emerge as a centre of unity and cooperation in the Asia-Pacific, holding significant strategic political and economic importance. The shared mission of peace, stability, cooperation, and development has forged strong bonds among ASEAN member states. In turn, a cohesive and resilient ASEAN has continually sought to reach new heights in fulfilling this mission.

United in Mission and Vision

“Mountains and rivers do not separate us; instead, they unite us in friendship, cooperation, and sharing” (1). Ideas imagined nearly 30 years ago laid the groundwork and impetus for ASEAN’s cohesion across time, space and strategy.

Building the ASEAN Community is an ongoing process, enriched with each passing year. A politically united, economically integrated and socially responsible community is the overarching goal enshrined in the ASEAN Charter. Amidst the myriad changes of our times, this goal remains constant. However, at different times, with varying priorities, ASEAN adapts its approach in accordance with the trends and dynamics of each era.

In 2015, at the birth of the ASEAN Community, the nations adopted the ASEAN Community Vision 2025 under the theme ‘ASEAN: Forging ahead together’ with a focus on strengthening integration at various levels, from the regional to the global stage.

Less than a decade later, amid increasingly unpredictable and uncertain circumstances, the 2023 ASEAN Summit resolved to forge a more strategic, long-term vision for ASEAN. Consequently, the ASEAN Community Vision 2045 has charted a course for ASEAN to become “resilient, dynamic, innovative and people-centred.” These guiding principles will serve as the guiding principle for ASEAN’s thinking and actions in the coming decades, ensuring the capacity for proactive and flexible responses to any fluctuations.

Resilience in a changing world

Matured and strengthened through adversity and challenges, ASEAN symbolises the power of unity, persistent effort and resilience. The rapidly evolving global and regional situations, with numerous new trends and multi-dimensional effects, both positive and negative, intertwined, demand greater effort from ASEAN to maintain and enhance the achievements of nearly 60 years of cooperation.

ASEAN remains steadfast in economic integration and continues to be a beacon of growth amid a global economic landscape marked by many uncertainties. With a GDP of US$3.8 trillion in 2023, ASEAN ranks as the world’s fifth-largest economy and is projected to rise to fourth by 2030, given the current growth trajectory. ASEAN is an attractive investment destination, with total FDI reaching $229 billion in 2023, surpassing all other developing economies. (2)

In response to new development trends, ASEAN has invested considerable effort and determination in pursuing breakthrough initiatives. The ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement, the first of its kind globally, is set to provide ASEAN with new growth momentum and a greater competitive advantage. Additionally, ASEAN is emerging as a focal point in the trend of supply chain relocation and diversification, with a strong influx of investment in technology and sustainable development fields such as green transition, digital transformation, electric vehicles, renewable energy, electricity networks and sustainable infrastructure.

ASEAN remains strong in political-security cooperation and continues to affirm its central role as the “architect” of the regional structure, particularly in promoting standards of conduct such as the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC), the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone Treaty (SEANWFZ), and the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC). Additionally, ASEAN enhances the effectiveness and appeal of its mechanisms, including ASEAN+1, ASEAN+3, the East Asia Summit (EAS), and the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF).

The Joint Communiqué of the 57th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting and numerous previous Joint Statements, such as the Declaration on Maintaining and Promoting Stability in Southeast Asia’s Maritime Space on 30th December 2023, reaffirm ASEAN’s unity, principled stance, and common voice on international and regional issues. ASEAN is committed to upholding the rule of law, peacefully resolving disputes based on international law and the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and seeking support from partners to transform the East Sea (internationally known as the South China Sea) into a region of peace, stability, cooperation and sustainable development.

Confident in its community identity, ASEAN is focused on realising a people-oriented, people-centred community as a continuous thread throughout all its roadmaps and strategies. Recent ASEAN initiatives, such as the Public Health Emergency Coordination System, the Climate Change Centre, and the Cross-Border Haze Pollution Control Centre, demonstrate ASEAN’s relentless pursuit of solutions to issues impacting people’s lives.

While much work remains, the successes achieved today will undoubtedly spread widely, allowing people to recognise ASEAN’s dedicated efforts at all levels of cooperation. This fosters greater affection, attachment, support and positive contributions towards an ever-stronger community. These foundational values are also the building blocks of ASEAN Community identity.

Việt Nam in ASEAN: strong faith and commitment

Việt Nam officially began its journey of cooperation and integration into ASEAN in 1995. Despite starting later and from a modest position, we have made relentless efforts to keep pace and fully participate in all areas of ASEAN cooperation. Beyond that, we have actively and proactively contributed to this process.

Over the past 29 years, these efforts have yielded significant achievements, from fulfilling member responsibilities in the early days to confidently participating in and contributing to ASEAN’s strategic direction and now leading many important initiatives. Việt Nam’s position and prestige within ASEAN are the results of the combined efforts of ministries, branches, localities, enterprises and citizens. The success of the 2024 ASEAN Future Forum, hosted by Việt Nam with the theme ‘Building a Fast-Growing, Sustainable, People-Centred ASEAN Community’, clearly demonstrates Việt Nam’s role and contributions to regional and global affairs.

In early August, as we remember former General Secretary Nguyễn Phú Trọng, a leader who left a lasting legacy in our country’s foreign relations, I recall his words on ASEAN: “Việt Nam always considers ASEAN as a common home, places a high priority on relations with member countries and harmoniously aligns Việt Nam’s national interests with the region’s interests”. This deep bond and friendship will continue to accompany Việt Nam on its journey with ASEAN, with faith and dedication to contribute to a cohesive and resilient ASEAN. VNS

(1) ASEAN Vision 2020, adopted at the 1997 ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur.

(2) 2023 Annual Report of the ASEAN Secretary-General.