ASEAN - The world's most successful model of regional cooperation

Since August 8, 1967, when the idea of ​​building an Association gathering all Southeast Asian countries was formed, ASEAN has always been considered the most successful model of regional cooperation in the world, worthy of being the fulcrum for geopolitical stability in Asia.

Success on ASEAN's development path

When talking about ASEAN, people immediately think of a united community - where decisions are made based on the consensus of all 10 member countries. And it can be affirmed that solidarity is the greatest achievement and value that ASEAN has achieved in the past 47 years.

Mr. Le Luong Minh, Secretary General of ASEAN said: “The ASEAN way is the principle of consensus, according to which ASEAN countries, in striving for common goals as well as finding solutions to situations that threaten to lead to conflict, peace and stability in the region, ASEAN countries promote dialogue and consultation, and this is the factor that ensures ASEAN's success.”

Besides, ASEAN has proven to be a dynamic economic region, with an average growth rate in recent years always reaching over 5%, higher than the world's average growth rate.

We also see an ASEAN that is increasingly connected through Free Trade Agreements, through a series of routes and economic corridors that are being implemented. Deep connectivity within ASEAN not only contributes to promoting economic trade, but also tourism and cultural exchange between people.

In the field of foreign affairs, ASEAN is playing a central role in many multilateral dialogue cooperation mechanisms such as the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting Plus, the ARF Regional Forum, the East Asia Summit EAS... ASEAN has truly become a reliable partner of countries around the world.

Mr. K. Shanmugam, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Singapore said: “For many years, ASEAN has maintained unity and consensus. Many regional structures and platforms have been built to demonstrate ASEAN's central role such as regional forums. ASEAN has good relations with key dialogue countries such as China, Russia, the US, Japan, South Korea, India and Australia and has a lot of potential for development.

Success always comes with challenges.

In addition to the impact of external factors, the factors that are detrimental to a bloc actually come from within that bloc.

Prof. Dr. Do Thanh Binh, Faculty of History, Hanoi National University of Education, commented: “The first is about strategic priorities, and the capacity of each country is different. The second challenge is that ASEAN still has internal conflicts, especially border and territorial disputes. The third is the challenge of regional security, including traditional and non-traditional security. The fourth is that major countries outside are increasing their involvement in the region. This involvement creates opportunities for the region to develop, but also creates challenges for the region, for the countries, and has consequences for building trust…”.

Mr. Pham Binh Minh, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam, said: “ASEAN and its partners affirm the central role of ASEAN countries in regional structures as well as in regional structures. That is how to strengthen and promote ASEAN's central role, resolve challenges not only for ASEAN but also challenges in the region as well as in relations with ASEAN's partner countries.

ASEAN is on the threshold of forming a community in 2015. Although 80% of the work has been completed, with not much time left, the remaining 20% ​​of the work is also a challenge that ASEAN countries must work together to overcome.

A politically cohesive, economically connected, united and consensual ASEAN community will certainly contribute more to peace, stability and prosperous development in the region and the world.

According toVTV Online