Regional leaders stressed that ASEAN's ability to preserve its central role and transform challenges into opportunities will be critical to the region's future.
As old certainties give way, the region's habit of talking through its differences is becoming a strategic asset rather than a procedural formality.
The theme chosen by Việt Nam for the ASEAN Future Forum 2026: “Peace, Prosperity and People-Centered” encapsulates the ambition for ASEAN to be the driving force behind a peaceful and prosperous development of this region, said KAS Resident Representative Lewe Paul.
According to Ambassador Tôn Thị Ngọc Hương, Permanent Representative of Việt Nam to ASEAN, the AFF has emerged as a notable diplomatic initiative that reflects Việt Nam’s proactive role in ASEAN, marking its transition from participating in regional discussions to helping shape the bloc’s strategic agenda.
Based on the Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation between Việt Nam’s National Assembly and Thailand’s House of Representatives, signed in 2023, Việt Nam and Thailand agreed to continue exchanges of delegations at all levels, expand interactions between parliamentary friendship groups.
The Communist Party of Việt Nam always attaches importance to and wishes to expand relations with political parties worldwide, including those in Southeast Asia, for the sake of peace, stability, development and prosperity in each country and across the region.
The Vietnamese legislature always supports the further deepening of the good neighbourliness, traditional friendship, comprehensive cooperation, and long-term sustainability between the two countries, said National Assembly Chairman Trần Thanh Mẫn.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence Gen. Phan Van Giang proposed the two sides push forward with key cooperation areas, including delegation exchanges at all levels, particularly those at high level; continued dialogue and consultation mechanisms; training, military and maritime law enforcement exchanges, cybersecurity, and defence industry.
The two sides also agreed to maximise the effectiveness of the Việt Nam–Thailand Joint Trade Committee, reduce trade barriers, facilitate market access for each other's products, and work towards achieving bilateral trade of US$25 billion in the near term and US$50 billion in the longer term.
The role of the union continued to be strengthened in supporting farmers to develop production, increase incomes, and contribute to building new-style rural areas.
Spouse of the Vietnamese Prime Minister Đào Thị Bích Thuỷ, together with Vandara Siphandone, spouse of the Lao PM; Pich Chamony, spouse of the Cambodian PM; and Thananon Niramit, spouse of the Thai PM, visited the Temple of Literature in Hà Nội on June 8, within the framework of their official visit to Việt Nam.
Nguyễn Hùng Sơn, President of the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam, talks about Asian Future Forum 2026, ASEAN’s long-term vision, digital transformation, AI and the role of young people in regional policymaking.
By bringing together world leaders, representatives of research institutions and business executives, the forum provides fresh perspectives and practical solutions to current challenges facing ASEAN.
Prime Minister Lê Minh Hưng and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet agreed to further strengthen political trust and deepen close cooperation in national defence and security during the talks held at the Government headquarters on Monday in Hà Nội.
ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn said the initiative, launched by Việt Nam, has gradually built its own reputation and identity as a useful and practical channel for policy dialogue, contributing to policymaking, regional cooperation and the strengthening of ASEAN centrality in the regional architecture.
A series of side events held in Hà Nội on June 8 within the framework of the third ASEAN Future Forum (AFF) 2026 focused on the strategic role of the Mekong subregion and the contribution of young people.
The Mekong Roundtable has special meaning in the context that the region is preparing to realise the ASEAN Community Vision 2045.
PM Anutin Charnvirakul’s visit comes after the official visit to Thailand by Party General Secretary and State President Tô Lâm from May 27–29 and takes place as the two countries prepare to celebrate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations (August 6, 1976 – August 6, 2026).
