Vietnam Advocates for Stronger ASEAN Cooperation Amid Regional Challenges

Vietnam has strongly advocated for the strengthening and deepening of regional cooperation at various ASEAN-related foreign ministers' meetings and other forums. The nation is particularly focused on promoting economic integration, ensuring energy security, and maintaining peace and stability in maritime areas. Vietnamese Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung underscored the role of ASEAN+3 (China, Japan, South Korea) as a strategic platform for deepening regional economic integration and strengthening resilience. He also indicated Vietnam's aim to build a sustainable "blue economy" by scaling up energy cooperation, pooling financial resources, and cracking down on illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing. In response to recent tensions in the South China Sea, Vietnam urged concerned parties to exercise restraint and respect the sovereign rights and jurisdiction of coastal states over their exclusive economic zones (EEZs) and continental shelves, as established in accordance with the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). The country reaffirmed its commitment to concluding a substantive and effective Code of Conduct (COC) in the South China Sea at an early date, consistent with international law. This reflects Vietnam's diplomatic stance of seeking de-escalation and adherence to international law in maritime affairs, particularly in its relations with China, which is advancing its Belt and Road Initiative. Domestically, the Party Central Committee discussed proposals concerning the transfer of responsibilities for mass mobilization work. This includes a suggestion to transfer the role from the Party Central Committee's Commission for Information, Education and Mass Mobilisation to the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee and central mass organizations, and to rename the commission to the Commission for Information and Education. This move is seen as an effort to streamline and centralize the Party's organizational structure and mobilization activities. Vietnam is also working to strengthen its ties with partners such as the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, and Russia. With the UK, it proposed shifting the focus of cooperation from growth to enhancing resilience, self-reliance, and innovation. In its relations with the US, Vietnam welcomed its engagement in the region and support for ASEAN centrality. With Canada, it proposed making energy security and transition a pillar of their relations and urged expanded cooperation in renewable energy and civilian nuclear power. Regarding Russia, the meeting commemorating 35 years of dialogue relations was assessed as an important milestone that reaffirmed the strategic value of ASEAN-Russia relations and injected fresh momentum into cooperation. Furthermore, Vietnam expressed satisfaction with the robust development of the Vietnam-Japan Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, noting that it has created new momentum for strengthening ties between the two countries. Mekong-Japan cooperation was also highlighted as contributing to peace, stability, resilience, and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific and Indo-Pacific regions. These developments are seen as part of Vietnam's diplomatic strategy to enhance its regional influence and balance economic growth with security. As a rapidly growing economy, Vietnam aims to maximize its national interests by deepening relationships with diverse international partners while managing its complex relationship with China. Information Source: VietnamPlus English