Prime Minister Le Minh Hung Puts Forward Three Major Proposals to ASEAN in the Face of Multidimensional Challenges

In his opening remarks, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos emphasized the significance of the Summit as ASEAN enters a new stage of development based on the ASEAN Community Vision 2045.

In particular, amid the current complex and volatile international situation, the Summit provides an important opportunity for ASEAN Leaders to exchange assessments and discuss practical measures to help ASEAN and each Member State address multidimensional challenges.

The President emphasized the Philippines’ commitment, in its capacity as ASEAN Chair in 2026, to continue working with Member States to strengthen solidarity, enhance resilience, uphold ASEAN centrality and the spirit of mutual support, and promote greater coordination among Member States and with partners in order to effectively address challenges, sustain the momentum of cooperation, and realize the objectives set forth in the ASEAN Community Vision.

At the Plenary Session immediately following the Opening Ceremony, ASEAN Leaders shared their assessments of the adverse impacts of complex geopolitical developments around the world, particularly the conflict in the Middle East, on peace, stability, international energy supply chains, and civilian lives. The Leaders emphasized the importance of maintaining peace and stability, and of upholding key principles of promoting dialogue and peaceful settlement, on the basis of international law and the Charter of the United Nations.

The Leaders also shared and expressed support for the Philippines’ directions and priorities for ASEAN cooperation in 2026 under the theme “Steering a Shared Future,” with three major focus areas: strengthening cooperation in addressing non-traditional challenges as an anchor for regional peace and stability; promoting economic connectivity, digitalization, and inclusive and sustainable development as drivers of a corridor of prosperity; and placing ASEAN people at the centre of Community-building efforts.

ASEAN Leaders also emphasized that, in the current context, ASEAN Member States need to continue strengthening solidarity and ASEAN centrality, enhancing and expanding cooperation with partners, and promoting and improving the effectiveness of the implementation of cooperation plans and programmes, particularly in ensuring energy security, food security, economic stability, supply chain resilience, and support for the people of ASEAN.

Speaking at the Plenary Session, Prime Minister Le Minh ng affirmed Viet Nam’s support and commitment to cooperation with the Philippines as ASEAN Chair and other Member States in implementing the Philippines’ priorities and initiatives for 2026.

The Prime Minister emphasized that, in the face of interconnected and multidimensional challenges, the question confronting ASEAN is not “whether it will be affected,” but rather “how it will respond and how it will respond together.” Accordingly, Prime Minister Le Minh Hung put forward three major proposals.

First, the Prime Minister stressed the need to concentrate resources on ensuring essential security needs, including energy security, food security, and human security. This includes the ratification and effective implementation of the ASEAN Petroleum Security Agreement; the substantive implementation of the ASEAN Plan of Action for Energy Cooperation (APAEC) 2026–2030, the ASEAN Power Grid, and the Trans-ASEAN Gas Pipeline; the diversification of energy sources, the promotion of energy transition, and enhanced access to green finance and advanced technologies; as well as improving the effectiveness of existing food security frameworks and arrangements, strengthening strategic reserves, and establishing emergency and dedicated reserve mechanisms for rice and other essential commodities. The Prime Minister affirmed that Viet Nam stands ready to provide food assistance in emergency situations, share relevant experience with ASEAN Member States, and continue close coordination with ASEAN Member States in providing consular assistance to citizens.

The Prime Minister also called for the promotion of substantive cooperation to strengthen ASEAN’s internal capacity and resilience. Accordingly, it is necessary to effectively implement the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA) and promptly conclude the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA).

Finally, Prime Minister Le Minh Hung called for stronger ASEAN coordination and solidarity, stressing the need to enhance the effectiveness of consultation and cross-sectoral coordination in emergency situations, while continuing to strengthen the coordinating role of the ASEAN Secretariat in order to ensure that regional commitments are implemented in a continuous, coherent, and effective manner.

Viet Nam’s proposals were welcomed by ASEAN Leaders, who highly appreciated both their substance and timeliness. Based on Viet Nam’s proposals, the Summit discussed and agreed to adopt the ASEAN Leaders’ Declaration on Priority Actions to Strengthen Regional Resilience in Response to the Implications of the Situation in the Middle East. The Declaration reflects ASEAN’s political position on the implications of the situation in the Middle East, the Leaders’ vision for positioning ASEAN within the regional architecture, and common strategies and measures characterized by a strong focus on action and implementation./.