AFF 2026: Advancing Resilient, People-Centered ASEAN
	ASEAN Must Become Active Force in Shaping New Rules of Era: Vietnamese PM

According to Tien Phong newspaper, Canadian Ambassador to Vietnam Jim Nickel stated that the message of peace, prosperity, and a people-centered future is particularly significant in the current context. In his view, ASEAN, as a regional community, can make positive contributions not only to peace and development within the region but also to the world.

Ambassador Jim Nickel noted that the elevation of ASEAN-Canada relations to a Strategic Partnership marked an important milestone after nearly 50 years of dialogue relations between the two sides. He emphasized that the foundation of this relationship lies in shared values and interests, as well as similar approaches to international issues.

The Canadian ambassador stressed that the world is currently witnessing intensifying geopolitical competition, growing economic fragmentation, and the erosion of rules, norms, and multilateral institutions. Against this backdrop, forums such as the ASEAN Future Forum play a particularly important role in fostering common understanding and advancing international cooperation.

Canadian Ambassador to Vietnam Jim Nickel. (Photo: Tien Phong Newspaper)

He also noted that, alongside the opportunities brought about by technology and artificial intelligence, the international community must ensure that emerging technologies are used to serve humanity’s interests.

French Ambassador to Vietnam Olivier Brochet observed that the ASEAN Future Forum is gradually becoming a major diplomatic event in the region. At a time when international crises, from Europe to other parts of the world, are contributing to growing global instability, messages of cooperation, openness, and stability conveyed by ASEAN are of particular importance to both the people and the development of the region.

Philippine Ambassador to Vietnam Francisco Noel R. Fernandez III. (Photo: VOV)

Speaking to VOV, Philippine Ambassador to Vietnam Francisco Noel R. Fernandez III described AFF as a meaningful initiative that focuses on discussions of ASEAN’s future trends and opportunities. He noted that, as ASEAN prepares to admit Timor-Leste as its 11th member, it is essential for member states to jointly discuss the Association’s development vision for the next 10 to 20 years. He assessed that the forum has effectively complemented ASEAN’s existing cooperation mechanisms by directing attention toward long-term challenges and opportunities.

Meanwhile, European Union (EU) Ambassador to Vietnam Julien Guerrier remarked that the messages delivered at the forum reflected a forward-looking vision, particularly the goal of building innovation hubs and jointly shaping standards for a world that continues to operate on the basis of international law.

Sharing a similar perspective with the Vietnam News Agency (VNA), Ton Thi Ngoc Huong, Head of the Vietnamese Mission to ASEAN, stated that AFF has emerged as a noteworthy foreign policy initiative, reflecting Vietnam’s transformation from an active participant into a country that contributes to shaping ASEAN’s strategic agenda. According to her, this helps reinforce ASEAN’s centrality and promote dialogue amid intensifying geopolitical competition.

From the perspective of a partner outside the region, Belarusian Deputy Ambassador to Vietnam Oleg Shloma highly appreciated Vietnam’s proactive approach to promoting dialogue and building trust. He noted that AFF has created a platform where countries can seek common interests, narrow differences, and discuss solutions to global challenges through dialogue rather than confrontation. In his view, this represents a practical contribution by Vietnam to efforts aimed at strengthening cooperation and maintaining peace and stability both regionally and globally.

Meanwhile, Laos also acknowledged Vietnam’s contributions to the ASEAN cooperation process. A representative of the Lao Ministry of Foreign Affairs affirmed that Vietnam has played and continues to play an important role in promoting cooperation, strengthening intra-regional solidarity, and reinforcing the shared sense of responsibility among member states. The representative also expressed confidence that, together with constructive initiatives from Vietnam and other member countries, ASEAN will continue to develop into a strong community with an increasingly important voice on the international stage.

The positive assessments from ambassadors and international diplomats reflect growing recognition of Vietnam’s increasingly prominent contributions to ASEAN over the 30 years since it joined the Association. Through initiatives such as AFF, Vietnam continues to affirm its role as a proactive, active, and responsible member, contributing to the shaping of ASEAN’s development directions in the new era.

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