Vietnam's PM Tells ASEAN: Stop Adapting, Start Shaping Global Rules

PM Le Minh Hung's Call: From Adapting to Shaping

In his keynote opening speech, Vietnamese Prime Minister Le Minh Hung stressed that ASEAN must move beyond merely reacting to global shifts and instead actively shape global norms, rules, and frameworks . He framed the forum as the start of ASEAN's "journey to shape the future" rather than just adapt to it . The core message was that ASEAN should not be a passive participant in global trends but a proactive force in defining the rules of regional and international cooperation .

Three Proposed Strategic Directions for ASEAN Community Vision 2045

PM Hung outlined three strategic directions for the bloc as it moves toward the ASEAN Community Vision 2045 :

1. Serve as a regional dialogue center and anchor of trust — ASEAN should not merely participate in global trends but contribute to shaping them, leveraging its decades of peace and open trade while navigating a more fragmented world .
2. Transition from a manufacturing hub to an innovation center — This involves upgrading the region's economic model toward higher value-add, digital transformation, and technological leadership .
3. Evolve into a genuine people-centered community — The future of ASEAN must be shaped around people, not statistics, ensuring that development is inclusive and benefits all citizens directly .

Notable Attendees

The opening ceremony was attended by the following heads of government and senior officials :

• Vietnam — Prime Minister Le Minh Hung (host)
• Laos — Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone
• Cambodia — Prime Minister Hun Manet
• Thailand — Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul
• Timor-Leste — Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão (observer state)

Also present were Vietnamese Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung, ASEAN Secretary-General, and senior diplomats from across the region .

Expanded Scope — First-Time Sessions in 2026

The 2026 edition significantly broadened the forum's agenda. For the first time, AFF included :

• Seminar on the role of Southeast Asian political parties in building the ASEAN community — a side event held on June 8 .
• ASEAN Cities Leadership Conference — bringing together city leaders to expand cooperation channels for sustainable development .
• AI governance and digital transformation discussions — reflecting the bloc's focus on regulating emerging technologies .
• Youth events — engaging young leaders alongside policymakers, scholars, and businesses to ensure a multi-stakeholder, forward-looking dialogue .

Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Manh Cuong confirmed that the expanded format was designed to generate "fresh perspectives, initiatives and policy recommendations" for the ASEAN community-building process .