ASEAN's message of unity, self-reliance, and the imprint of Vietnam.

Through successfully hosting the AFF, Vietnam has made a profound impression as a developing country that is strongly integrating and actively contributing to the common work of the international community.

This year's AFF theme, "Shaping a Shared Future Together: Peace, Prosperity, and People-Centered Approach," is widely regarded as closely aligned with the ASEAN Community Vision 2045, demonstrating Vietnam's responsiveness and timeliness in a world facing numerous changes and divisions. Speaking at the opening session of the 3rd AFF, Prime Minister Le Minh Hung stated that this year's Forum holds special significance. The theme reflects the core values ​​that ASEAN is pursuing and guides the Association's future direction.

Strengthening connections, shaping the future.

The widespread impact and strong influence of the 3rd AFF Summit were affirmed by the assessments and opinions of the delegates attending the Conference. The delegates unanimously agreed that Vietnam's hosting of such a prestigious event demonstrates Vietnam's growing influence and standing within ASEAN, the Asian region, and internationally. The success of this year's Forum and previous forums, with the participation of numerous high-ranking leaders, international officials, experts, scholars, businesses, and youth, is proof of Vietnam's strong diplomatic influence.

With dozens of in-depth discussions reflecting the most pressing needs of ASEAN in the current period, the AFF has built a dialogue channel that complements existing ASEAN mechanisms. According to Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone, the AFF has truly transformed, becoming an extremely important platform where ASEAN member states discuss, seek common voices and approaches in addressing emerging challenges in the region and globally.

Currently, ASEAN is facing many complex challenges with multifaceted impacts on the process of building the Community, ranging from issues of peace, security, economic development to technology. These are difficult issues to analyze and address thoroughly from a single perspective. In this context, the AFF plays a crucial role as a forum to promote sharing and connecting different perspectives. This is precisely what creates the Forum's strength. Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. highly appreciated Vietnam's initiative in organizing the AFF, stating that this year's Forum theme is perfectly aligned with the "Together Steering a Shared Future" orientation of the Philippines' ASEAN Chairmanship in 2026.

Honored to participate in the Forum, US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau shared his strong impressions of the people's hospitality and the dynamic development of Hanoi. Mr. Landau stated: “Being in Hanoi today is like a dream for me. The way Vietnam and the US have progressed from former adversaries to partners cultivating friendship and cooperation today is truly wonderful. I am very happy and proud to contribute to the joint effort to build this bilateral relationship.” The US diplomat highly appreciated Vietnam's successful hosting of the AFF and affirmed the US's strong support for Vietnam's increasingly prominent role on the international stage.

Meanwhile, the French Ambassador to Vietnam, Olivier Brochet, paid particular attention to Prime Minister Le Minh Hung's speech at the Forum; noting that the atmosphere of the exchange instilled confidence and optimism about cooperation in the context of ongoing international crises. In this context, ASEAN can play a peace-building role not only for the region but also for the world.

"The meeting point" for creative ideas.

One of the things that made the 3rd AFF so appealing was that it served as a meeting point for fresh ideas, creating an open space and promoting a more comprehensive approach to ASEAN issues. For the first time, the AFF included a dedicated discussion session on cooperation between political parties in Southeast Asia and a meeting of ASEAN city leaders.

The seminar "The Role of Southeast Asian Political Parties in Building the ASEAN Community" marked a significant milestone in the Association's cooperation process. Attendees affirmed that this was a practical and timely initiative, opening a forum and opportunity for political parties in the region to meet and exchange views on many issues of common concern, including building trust, governance and national development, promoting ASEAN cooperation, and realizing the ASEAN Community Vision 2045. Delegates argued that behind ASEAN's achievements lies the crucial contribution of political parties – the main actors in nation-building and regional integration. Therefore, strengthening trust and cooperation among Southeast Asian political parties is essential to building a stronger ASEAN Community.

Highly appreciating Vietnam's initiative in organizing the forum, considering it a necessary space to strengthen dialogue among political parties in the region, the delegates expressed their hope that this mechanism will be maintained regularly to consolidate trust, promote mutual understanding, and enhance cohesion within the ASEAN Community.

Meanwhile, with the theme "Driving the Future from Smart, Sustainable and Connected Cities," the ASEAN Cities Leaders' Meeting 2026 attracted the participation of leaders from many cities in the ASEAN region, along with experts, international organizations, and development partners. Cities are centers of population, resources, technology, and innovation, making them a crucial force in enhancing ASEAN's resilience. The meeting provided a space for cities to share experiences, seek solutions to problems, and lay the foundation for future cooperation.

Young people are both beneficiaries of ASEAN's cooperation and development achievements, and key players in steering the ASEAN "ship" toward the open sea in the future. ASEAN leaders consistently emphasize encouraging young people to uphold a sense of responsibility and strive to fulfill the shared mission of building an increasingly strong ASEAN Community. The "ASEAN Youth Dialogue: Aspirations 2030" program, held alongside the AFF, highlighted the determination to amplify the voice of young people in building the region's future. The Director of the Diplomatic Academy, Nguyen Hung Son, stated: "We particularly value the participation of ASEAN youth, because discussions about the region's future need to reflect the voices and expectations of the generation that will directly live in that future."

A bright future for ASEAN, filled with aspirations for unity, self-reliance, prosperous development, and a people-centered approach, can only be successfully written by a passionate young generation that embodies pioneering spirit, responsibility, and the courage to think outside the box and take action.

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PV