Following the ASEAN flag-raising ceremony at the Foreign Ministry headquarters in Hanoi commemorating the organization’s 59th anniversary and the 31st anniversary of Vietnam’s membership, Hoai Trung stated that the group, consisting of 11 nations, cannot simply adapt to external changes.

During his address to ambassadors and officials from several ministries, the foreign minister outlined three strategic pillars that ASEAN must pursue: effectiveness, self-reliance, and preparedness.

He said effectiveness must be measured, firstly, by the tangible benefits people experience in their daily lives, from smoother trade and improved connectivity to more and better jobs and higher-quality public services.

At the same time, self-reliance remains the cornerstone that allows the organization to stand firm in the face of geopolitical shifts, protect common interests, and maintain its central role in the region.

“A prepared and forward-thinking ASEAN must be capable of proactively anticipating and preparing for change, promoting innovation, developing human resources, and effectively utilizing new technologies for development.”

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