ASEAN Innovation and Integration: The Key to Sustainable Development

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The theme is this year is "Connectivity and Self-Reliance". In 2025, ASEAN is expected to adopt the ASEAN Community Vision 2045 and four strategic plans on politics-security, economy, culture-society and connectivity.

This is a promising step to promote innovation, creativity and sustainable development not only for the region but also for each member country. In this context, Vietnam is preparing with ASEAN for the 30th anniversary of accession, continuing to affirm its important role in the regional community.

The 44th and 45th ASEAN Summits have just concluded in Vientiane, Laos, marking an important step in the journey of regional cooperation (Photo: VGP).

ASEAN: The Journey from Challenge to Success

Established nearly 60 years ago in the context of a divided region, ASEAN has constantly expanded, developed and become a sustainable and united community. Since its original five founding countries, ASEAN has now been the common home of 10 Southeast Asian countries, creating a foundation for peace, cooperation and development.

This journey of nearly three decades has been arduous. From the initial uncertainties, ASEAN has matured, bravely and steadfastly faced all challenges. ASEAN's perseverance, self-reliance and resilience are the core factors that help the organization achieve its position today.

ASEAN has always shown sensitivity and timeliness in responding to regional and international challenges. From global hotspots to the region, member countries all share awareness and responsibility in strengthening solidarity and promoting ASEAN's common voice. Agreeing on the will to come to unity in behavior and action, ASEAN has clearly demonstrated its ability to "improvise" since the "unchanging" mission of maintaining an environment of peace, security, stability and development cooperation in the region.

ASEAN is aware of the value of peace in the context that many regions of the world are still mired in conflict. Peace is not an obvious thing but the result of joint efforts and consensus of all ASEAN members.

In the fight against COVID-19, ASEAN has proven its ability to respond flexibly and effectively. A series of initiatives such as COVID-19 Response Fund, a series of initiatives implemented such as the COVID-19 Response Fund, Regional Emergency Medical Supplies Stockpile, ASEAN Standard Epidemic Response Procedures, ASEAN Travel Corridor Framework, ASEAN Overall Recovery Framework are vivid demonstrations of the spirit of solidarity, ASEAN’s solidarity in difficulties and ASEAN's initiative in responding to issues of the whole people, comprehensively, globally and in the Community. As a result, ASEAN has mobilized more than 900 million doses of vaccines and a series of medical supplies, contributing to the success of fighting the epidemic and recovering the regional economy.

These initiatives are not only lessons learned but also create a premise for ASEAN to deal with other challenges such as climate change, natural disasters, or population aging. The spirit of "community thinking, acting together" has helped ASEAN overcome difficulties and become more and more cohesive.

ASEAN is facing increasingly fierce competition between major countries. From its central role in the Asia-Pacific region, ASEAN not only maintains balance but also promotes independence and initiative in international relations.

Taking basic principles such as the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia, the ASEAN Vision for the Indo-Pacific, ASEAN has succeeded in reconciling interests, reconciling differences, and harmonizing the interests of countries when participating in regional cooperation. ASEAN mechanisms such as ASEAN+1, ASEAN+3, and the East Asia Summit continue to affirm their strategic value in promoting dialogue, building trust and strengthening cooperation, creating a solid foundation for shaping a multi-process, multi-level and multi-sectoral regional structure with ASEAN at the center.

In a volatile world, ASEAN stands out as a model of solidarity and a bright spot for growth. Regional economic growth is forecast to reach 4.6% in 2024 and 4.8% in 2025, much higher than the global average. ASEAN is also expected to become the world's fourth-largest economy by 2030.

ASEAN is making efforts to accelerate the upgrade of the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement, basically completing negotiations to upgrade the ASEAN-China Free Trade Agreement version 3.0, implementing the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP)... In addition, new cooperation frameworks on digital economy, circular economy and blue sea economy show a strong shift in ASEAN's thinking and actions.

Moreover, ASEAN has always put the people at the center of all development efforts. Specialized agencies in education, health, labor or culture all aim to bring practical benefits to the people, creating conditions for people in the region to benefit from the development of the community.

Vietnam in the ASEAN community

Vietnam, with nearly 30 years as an ASEAN member, has always actively participated and contributed to community initiatives and action programs. Since becoming a member of ASEAN in 1995, joining ASEAN has always been a strategic priority and the top choice of Vietnam, ASEAN is a "strategic space" contributing to creating a favorable situation, and maintaining an environment of peace, security, stability and development for the country. Since "innovation, creativity and integration," Vietnam is not only an active member but also plays a bridging role, contributing to strengthening solidarity and unity in ASEAN.

Joining ASEAN has brought Vietnam from a country devastated by war, encirclement, embargo, to gradually opening and integrating, linking the country's development with the common development flow of ASEAN, the region and the world. Today, talking about Vietnam is referring to a prestigious member, the responsibility of ASEAN and the international community, our best efforts, sincere cooperation, trust and dedicated contribution.

In 2025, the 30th anniversary of Vietnam's accession to ASEAN is an opportunity for the country to look back on its past journey, thereby continuing to promote its role in the regional community. Vietnam will accompany ASEAN, implement the ASEAN Community Vision 2045, promote the values of peace, cooperation and sustainable development.

In the next development journey with new expectations set for ASEAN, Vietnam needs to be more aware of its responsibility to participate proactively and contribute more to the common work, with the motto of creativity in thinking, innovation in approach, flexibility in implementation, effectiveness in how to do things, and drastic in action. To do so, Vietnam identifies, supplements and develops new and specific connotations with the spirit of "resources originate from thinking and vision; motivation stems from innovation and creativity; strength comes from the people and businesses", and 6 more: More responsibility, more proactive, more creative, more positive, more effort and more promotion.

ASEAN is facing challenges but also a great opportunity to reach further. With the spirit of solidarity, innovative thinking and drastic action, ASEAN will continue to affirm its role as a center for peace, cooperation and development in the region and the world. Vietnam, with a strong commitment, will accompany ASEAN on this journey, for a prosperous, united and developed community.

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