ASEAN Future Forum 2024 set for late April

This is one of the foremost multilateral foreign affairs events hosted by Vietnam in 2024 with the participation of over 200 delegates, including high-level leaders from several ASEAN countries and partners, representatives from international organisations, and top scholars around the world.

On April 1, at the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs held an international press conference on the ASEAN Future Forum 2024. Attending and presiding over the press conference were Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Do Hung Viet, director general of the Press and Information Department Pham Thu Hang and acting director of the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam Pham Lan Dung.

International press conference of ASEAN Future Forum in 2024. Photo: VGP

The idea of organising the AFF was announced by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh at the 43^rd ASEAN Summit in Jakarta, Indonesia, September 2023. This is Vietnam's new initiative aimed at creating a forum for member countries, friends, partners, and people of ASEAN to contribute to shaping the future development path of ASEAN.

This year's forum theme is "Building a fast, sustainable ASEAN community with people at the centre," a theme personally chosen by the PM.

"This theme reflects the concerns and expectations of the Vietnamese government as well as those of countries around the world, closely linked to the development direction of ASEAN and Vietnam, especially in promoting sustainable economic growth and building a people-centred community," Viet stated at the press conference.

The organisation of the AFF 2024 holds significant importance in Vietnam's overall foreign policy and diplomacy strategy, especially in implementing the multilateral foreign policy direction outlined at the 13^th Party Congress.

The ASEAN Future Forum 2024 includes several activities, including an opening session with participation and speeches by high-level leaders of Vietnam, incumbent and incoming ASEAN chairs, ASEAN secretary-general, and the United Nations secretary-general.

There will also be two discussion sessions. Session 1 focuses on building a fast and sustainable ASEAN community and two parallel working lunch sessions discussing the topics of "Repositioning ASEAN's central role" and "Seizing development opportunities in the digital age." Session 2 aims to enhance a comprehensive security approach for a people-centred ASEAN Community. The forum culminates with a closing session.

There will be a dialogue between the ASEAN general secretary and youth, a noteworthy highlight of this year's forum. This dialogue serves as an opportunity for Vietnamese and ASEAN youth to enhance their understanding of ASEAN, share their expectations, and provide recommendations for ASEAN's future direction.

"We expect the forum to provide a framework for all relevant parties within and outside the region to participate in providing ideas and initiatives for the ASEAN Vision 2045 process and its implementation; representing the voice and contribution of our region to the world's future development efforts through the Future Summit of the United Nations, scheduled for September. This is also Vietnam's specific contribution to the collective effort to build a people-centred ASEAN community, promoting rapid and sustainable growth," Viet said.

ASEAN youth fellows explore opportunities to drive regional growth Forty youth leaders from 10 ASEAN states gathered for the fifth edition of the ASEAN Youth Fellowship (AYF) from October 28 to November 4. The programme seeks to grow and connect emerging young leaders with a focus on public, private, and people sector collaboration.

Vietnam continues to be ASEAN highlight Recovering consumption and production in addition to stronger global goods demand are expected to help Vietnam achieve the highest growth in ASEAN this year.

Prime Minister to attend ASEAN leaders’ meeting Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh will lead a high-ranking Vietnamese delegation to an ASEAN leaders’ meeting to be held at the headquarters of the ASEAN Secretariat in Jakarta, Indonesia from April 23-24.