ASEAN's Robust Youth - The Key to the Region's Future Success
	ASEAN Future Forum and India's Role in Indo - Pacific Stability and Prosperity

A strategic initiative reflecting Vietnam’s vision

The ASEAN Future Forum is Vietnam’s first large-scale multilateral initiative in the track 1.5 format, providing a platform for leaders, experts, researchers, businesses, and other stakeholders to engage in discussions and propose new ideas and initiatives to shape ASEAN’s future development and strengthen its cooperation with partners.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (6th from the right) and delegates attending the opening session of the ASEAN Future Forum (AFF) 2025 on February 25. (Photo: baoquocte.vn)

More than 500 delegates have registered to participate in person, including senior leaders from ASEAN countries and partner countries, leading regional and international experts and scholars, ambassadors, senior officials from ASEAN member states and partners, representatives of international organizations, businesses, local authorities, and a large contingent of domestic and international media representatives.

The two-day forum (February 25–26) features five official plenary sessions, pre-forum activities, and significant side events:

On the morning of February 25, pre-forum activities took place at the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam, including the photo exhibition “30 Years of Vietnam’s Participation in ASEAN” and three parallel thematic discussions on “Women, Peace, and Security: Digital Transformation for Sustainable Peace, Promoting Smart Agriculture for Regional Food Security”, and “Promoting Dialogue for Peace and Stability in the Region”.

In the afternoon of February 25, the official Forum commenced at Melia Hanoi Hotel with an opening session attended by and featuring remarks from Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh. This was followed by two plenary discussions on “Major Trends Impacting ASEAN and the World by 2035” and “Strengthening ASEAN's Fundamental Principles to Address Future Challenges”. The first day concluded with a high-level gala dinner.

On February 26, four plenary sessions will take place, including a high-level session attended by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and senior leaders from ASEAN and partner nations. Other plenary discussions will focus on “Subregional Cooperation to Promote Resilience and Sustainable Development”, “Governance of Emerging Technologies to Ensure Comprehensive Security”, and “ASEAN's Role in Promoting Peace in a Fragmented World”. This will be interspersed with a working lunch session on ASEAN Embracing the Future: Mastering Emerging Technologies, concluding with the closing session.

Affirming Vietnam’s role in ASEAN

Vietnam’s hosting of the ASEAN Future Forum 2025 demonstrates the country’s proactive and active contribution to regional and global cooperation.

Official website interface of ASEAN Future Forum 2025: https://www.asean-futureforum.com. (Photo: Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam)

Beni Sukadis, Program Coordinator of the Indonesia Institute for Defense and Strategic Studies (Lesperssi) stated that ASEAN is enhancing regional security and peace through dialogue, cooperation, and trust-building. He hopes the discussions at the Forum will emphasize the importance of sustainability and circularity in supply chains to address global challenges such as climate change and resource depletion.

Dr. Dinna Prapto Raharja, Senior Policy Advisor and Founder of the independent research and training institute Synergy Policies, emphasized that the ASEAN Future Forum 2025 is a crucial opportunity to improve decision-making processes within ASEAN agencies, especially as ASEAN’s mechanisms have become increasingly complex over the past decade. She stressed that ASEAN must enhance connectivity between its agencies and respond more swiftly to regional issues.

Malaysia’s Ambassador to ASEAN, Sarah Al Bakri Devadason, praised Vietnam’s initiative to host the Forum for the second time in Hanoi. She highlighted that the Forum’s theme aligns with ASEAN’s core principles and is closely linked to Malaysia’s vision as the ASEAN Chair in 2025, aiming for a united, inclusive, and resilient ASEAN.

Australia’s Ambassador to ASEAN, Tiffany McDonald, described the ASEAN Future Forum 2025 as an opportunity to evaluate and discuss how ASEAN and its partners can collaborate to address challenges and maintain peace, stability, and prosperity in the region. In addition, the Forum reaffirmed Vietnam’s indispensable role in ASEAN since joining the bloc 30 years ago.

The Ambassador expressed confidence that ASEAN can play a greater role in fostering a stable and predictable regional environment by upholding international laws, mutual respect, and peaceful dispute resolution. She emphasized the need for responsible actions by all nations and the provision of dialogue platforms to build trust and prevent conflicts.

Florian Feyerabend, Resident Representative of Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung Vietnam, stated: "In 2024, the Forum was held for the first time and made a significant impact, even being mentioned in the Joint Statement of the ASEAN Foreign Ministers.

This year’s Forum has seen greater participation from ASEAN’s external partners, reflecting three key aspects: solidarity, inclusiveness, and resilience. All three of these elements are crucial in the current context, as we are at a historic turning point and witnessing increasing global fragmentation. We highly appreciate Vietnam’s role and believe that, through the ASEAN Future Forum, Vietnam will continue to contribute to dialogues on the region’s future; review, adjust, and enhance existing mechanisms.”

Singapore needs to continue to engage with ASEAN and India: President Tharman Singapore's President Tharman Shanmugaratnam highlighted that Singapore's need to continue to engage with ASEAN neighbors, India, and China.

NZ Expert: Wellington Should Deepen Vietnam, ASEAN Ties According to Liz Bell, executive director of the ASEAN-New Zealand Business Council and the ASEAN-New Zealand Business Alliance Secretariat, New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon's ...