Together, we steer the ship of ASEAN through the waves and out to sea.

The unity is an essential factor enabling ASEAN to overcome all challenges. The theme “Building Together a Common Future” of the 48th ASEAN Summit (May 7-8 in Cebu, Philippines), presided over by the future ASEAN president in 2026, reflects this spirit. Together, ASEAN leaders will define a crucial direction to build a united and resilient ASEAN, playing a central role in promoting cooperation and resolving regional problems.

“Cebu welcomes ASEAN leaders to the 48th ASEAN Summit and related meetings. As the ASEAN president this year, the Philippines are proud and determined to shape the region’s future,” stated Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in a televised message just before the summit on May 6.

Although it is a recurring event, this Summit has particular importance as ASEAN officially enters a new phase of development after 10 years of building the ASEAN Community (2015-2025). This is the first year the Association is implementing the ASEAN Community Vision 2045 as well as strategic plans centered around four pillars: political and security, economic, socio-cultural, and connectivity.

New Chapter, New Way of Doing Things

At the 47th ASEAN summit in October 2025, during the handover of the Philippine presidency to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim stated it would be a “new chapter for ASEAN”. The Philippines, who will chair ASEAN in 2026, will inaugurate this “new chapter” in a region and world undergoing constant, complex, and unpredictable changes, including the current complex situation in the Middle East.

Immediately responding to this new context without a high-level meeting, the Philippines, as ASEAN chair, proactively coordinated responses with other member states through various consultation and coordination mechanisms. This included special meetings of ASEAN foreign ministers and informal meetings of ASEAN economy ministers to unify positions, evaluate impacts, and promote coordinated joint action.

In economic terms, the 32nd meeting of ASEAN economy ministers on March 13 issued a joint statement on enhancing economic resilience in the face of global geopolitical and economic uncertainties. The special meeting of ASEAN energy ministers on April 27 and the special meeting of the ASEAN Economic Community Council on April 30 also adopted joint statements regarding measures to address energy and economic consequences due to the Middle East situation.

It is worth noting that ASEAN is no longer just reacting to crises but gradually adopting a coordinated, proactive, and concrete approach to address regional problems. In doing so, it demonstrates a commitment to strengthening its adaptability and resilience in an increasingly unstable strategic environment.

Strengthening Unity and Autonomy

The above-mentioned key points will be discussed and approved at the highest level during this ASEAN Summit with the participation of eleven state leaders. This Summit aims to harmonize strategic directions and make important decisions to strengthen solidarity, increase autonomy, and reassert the enduring value of a strong regional organization that has been in existence for over 60 years.

Addressing global concerns, on the eve of the Summit, Philippine Foreign Minister Theresa Lazaro emphasized that ensuring energy security, food security, and protecting ASEAN citizens were three key issues on the agenda of the 48th ASEAN Summit.

Moreover, speaking to TGVN, Deputy Foreign Minister Dang Hoang Giang presented the main objectives of the conference. First, to strengthen the solidarity, autonomy, and responsiveness of ASEAN to urgent challenges, particularly in essential areas such as energy security, food security, supply chain stability, and citizen support in emergencies.

Second, to promote the effective implementation of ASEAN’s strategic priorities, especially the ASEAN 2045 Community Vision and cooperation axes during the Philippine chairmanship of ASEAN in 2026.

Third, to continue promoting the common voice and central role of ASEAN by upholding the rule of law, supporting multilateralism, and deepening relations with partners to maintain a peaceful, stable, and development-friendly environment, while reinforcing ASEAN’s position and role in the region and the world.

After over 60 years of existence, ASEAN has overcome numerous major regional and global crises, from the Asian financial crisis to the Covid-19 pandemic, and strategic competition among great powers, underscoring the importance of solidarity, dialogue, and cooperation as essential foundations enabling ASEAN to maintain its central role in a rapidly changing regional structure.

In a context of increasing strategic competition, ASEAN’s ability to maintain consensus and its central role is also crucial in helping the region avoid cycles of confrontation and polarization.

The way in which ASEAN has collectively overcome difficulties and challenges not only strengthens its member states but also affirms the Association’s prestige and central role, injecting lasting vitality into multilateralism for peace and stability in the region and the world.

Strategic Priorities, Authentic Contributions

For over thirty years as an ASEAN member, Vietnam’s development is closely linked to the association’s, and the growth of ASEAN is also exemplified by Vietnam. Vietnam has consistently worked towards the mutual success of the Association and the development of a united community centered on its people. In an ASEAN adapting to new regional and global realities, Vietnam increasingly affirms its role as an active and responsible member, aiming to contribute to common regional issues.

The participation of Prime Minister Le Minh Hung in this Summit reflects Vietnam’s steadfast commitment to implementing an independent, peaceful, friendly, and development-focused foreign policy, seeking to strengthen itself while prioritizing multilateralism and diversifying its external relations in line with the Party’s National Congress XIV spirit.

Vietnam is fully committed to building the ASEAN Community, with a proactive, positive, responsible spirit, and makes concrete and effective contributions to the Association’s common work. According to Deputy Foreign Minister Dang Hoang Giang, throughout this ASEAN Summit, Vietnam is closely coordinating actions with member states to promote the effective implementation of the 2026 ASEAN presidency’s priorities and the ASEAN 2045 Community Vision, aiming to build a resilient, dynamic, innovative community focused on people.

Furthermore, Vietnam aims to collaborate with ASEAN to maintain a peaceful, safe, stable environment; uphold international law and multilateralism; strengthen intra-bloc ties while expanding and deepening relations with partners to consolidate ASEAN’s central role in the regional structure.

Vietnam will actively participate in the Summit’s priority areas, particularly addressing urgent issues related to energy security, food security, and citizen support. Recently, Vietnam has conducted in-depth research and developed concrete proposals and initiatives to enhance ASEAN’s overall response capacity to growing challenges and external changes.

Choosing ASEAN as his first destination after taking office holds significant symbolic meaning, reaffirming the ASEAN’s strategic priority in Vietnam’s foreign policy and demonstrating Vietnam’s commitment to stand by the Association in the face of new regional and global changes.

Although an annual and periodic meeting, each ASEAN Summit has its own mission. We are confident that the 48th ASEAN Summit will inject new dynamics into ASEAN to overcome challenges and maintain its determination to achieve the many important goals ahead. It will also project an image of proactive, positive, sincere, and responsible Vietnam, aiming to contribute to the peace, stability, and common development of the Community.