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This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC), while also being the first year of implementing the ASEAN Community Vision 2045. It is also the first high-level multilateral foreign affairs event hosted by Viet Nam following the success of the 14th National Party Congress, the elections to the 16th National Assembly and People’s Councils at all levels for the 2026–2031 tenure, as well as the consolidation of key Party and State leadership positions.
Held against this meaningful backdrop, AFF 2026 conveys Viet Nam’s strong determination to continue participating proactively and actively, together with fellow ASEAN member countries, in realising the aspiration for a prosperous, united, and resilient ASEAN Community reaching new heights of development.
First held in 2024, the AFF is an initiative launched by Viet Nam to establish an open and inclusive platform for dialogue on ASEAN’s and the region’s strategic issues, with a view to ASEAN’s future development. Building on the remarkable success of the first two editions, this year’s forum is expected to continue contributing to the strengthening of ASEAN centrality, reaffirming ASEAN as a space for dialogue, cooperation, and development towards peace, stability, and shared prosperity.
Through in-depth discussions, the forum will generate further ideas, initiatives, and policy recommendations that can serve as valuable references for ASEAN cooperation and community-building efforts in the coming period.
The theme of AFF 2026, “Shaping Our Future Together: Peace, Prosperity, People-Centred”, accurately reflects ASEAN’s most pressing requirements at the present stage.
“Peace” is placed first because, amid an increasingly complex strategic environment, peace and stability are prerequisites for ASEAN to maintain its central role and safeguard development space for its member countries.
“Prosperity” reflects ASEAN’s need to seek new growth drivers, strengthen connectivity, promote innovation and digital transformation, and continue serving as one of the world’s dynamic growth centres.
Meanwhile, “People-Centred” embodies the guiding principle of the ASEAN Community-building process. Ultimately, all regional cooperation must serve the people, improve their quality of life, and strengthen societal resilience.
The scale and influence of AFF 2026 are further underscored by the participation of the Prime Ministers of ASEAN countries, namely Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, and Timor-Leste. A large number of experts, scholars, and representatives of the business community and youth are also taking part in the event, promising to contribute diverse and valuable perspectives while offering fresh insights into ASEAN’s future development through their extensive expertise and practical experience.
The broad and diverse participation of delegates demonstrates the high regard for Viet Nam’s proactive role in leading important regional dialogues, while also reflecting the shared desire among ASEAN countries to strengthen solidarity and enhance intra-regional cooperation.
One activity attracting particular attention within the framework of AFF 2026 is the dialogue among Southeast Asian Political Parties. The dialogue provides an additional channel for exchanges, helping political parties across the region deepen their mutual understanding and share experiences on issues concerning ASEAN’s future.
As ASEAN moves forward with the implementation of the ASEAN Community Vision 2045, exchanges among political parties — forces that play important roles in each country’s political life and policymaking — carry practical significance in strengthening strategic consensus and reinforcing the political and social foundations of the ASEAN Community-building process.
More than three decades after joining the “common ASEAN home”, member countries have witnessed Viet Nam’s remarkable maturation and growing stature within the region and on the international stage.
This long journey has been marked by Viet Nam’s progression from familiarisation and learning to proactively and actively participating in initiatives, and now to being ready to shoulder responsibilities, promote leadership, and work alongside ASEAN member countries to build a united, strong and effectively cooperating ASEAN Community.
The success of the AFF held in Ha Noi in 2024 and 2025 stands as vivid proof of Viet Nam’s growing prestige and its ability to effectively lead important dialogues.
The AFF 2026 once again affirms Viet Nam’s proactive spirit, active contributions, and increasingly elevated position within ASEAN, while laying the first solid building blocks for the long journey of implementing the ASEAN Community Vision 2045, towards a resilient, dynamic, and innovative ASEAN that places its people at the centre.
