ASEAN Future Forum 2025: Leaders Address Geo-Political Issues
Click to start listening
Synopsis
The ASEAN Future Forum in Hanoi brought together leaders to discuss strategic autonomy and collaboration in Southeast Asia, emphasizing the importance of peaceful conflict resolution and regional stability.
Key Takeaways
- Importance of ASEAN's unity and centrality stressed by Vietnam PM.
- Malaysian PM warned of geopolitical disturbances affecting regional peace.
- New Zealand PM called for prosperity and security in the Indo-Pacific.
- ASEAN's commitment to cooperation and diplomacy highlighted.
- Need for peaceful resolution of conflicts underlined.
Hanoi, Feb 26 (NationPress) The high-level plenary session of the second Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Future Forum took place in Hanoi on Wednesday, featuring the participation of Vietnam's Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chinh, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, and Timor-Leste President Jose Ramos-Horta.
The forum primarily addressed ASEAN’s trajectory towards strategic autonomy, economic sustainability, and regional collaboration.
During his address, Vietnam’s PM Chinh highlighted the necessity of reinforcing ASEAN’s unity and central role. He stressed that nations should honor their independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity.
“Conflicts should be settled through peaceful approaches, without the threat or use of force. These conflicts may involve territorial disputes, religious differences, or ethnic issues — they must be addressed through diplomacy to maintain stability, avert conflicts, and prevent wars,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Malaysian PM cautioned about potential disruptions in the geopolitical landscape, stating that such disturbances could severely impact peace and prosperity in Southeast Asia.
He further asserted that ASEAN must persist in bolstering its central role, strategic independence, and autonomy.
During the plenary sessions, New Zealand PM Luxon urged for enhanced prosperity and security within the Indo-Pacific.
“The Indo-Pacific is both a hub for global economic activity and a likely flashpoint for geopolitical tensions. Military advancements are being observed at an unprecedented scale in this region over the last fifty years,” he commented.
PM Luxon shared on social media: “It is crucial for New Zealand to collaborate with ASEAN nations to promote prosperity and security in the Indo-Pacific. It was a privilege to deliver a keynote address at the ASEAN Future Forum in Hanoi.”
At the Opening Session of the Second ASEAN Future Forum, Kao Kim Hourn, Secretary-General of ASEAN, emphasized the organization’s unwavering commitment to cooperation, collaboration, dialogue, and diplomacy.
He noted that ASEAN’s adherence to the principles of transparency, openness, inclusivity, and convergence-building is vital for navigating a fragmented multipolar world.
