Vietnam, ASEAN call for unity to address regional challenges, expand global cooperation

Vietnam and ASEAN want member states to maintain unity to address common regional challenges and strengthen cooperation with other parts of the world.

This was the shared view of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn at their bilateral meeting on October 26 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia during the 47th ASEAN Summit.

The two leaders agreed that Vietnam and ASEAN must make greater efforts to sustain internal solidarity and uphold the bloc’s central role amid fast-changing global developments.

They said that ASEAN should enhance strategic autonomy, boost connectivity among member economies and diversify markets and partners.

Both sides agreed that ASEAN economies should seek new opportunities for growth and cooperation in Latin America, the Middle East and Europe.

They also emphasized investing more in science and technology, especially digital technology, artificial intelligence (AI) and semiconductors, to create new growth momentum and strengthen people-to-people exchanges.

According to Secretary-General Kao, ASEAN is entering a new phase of community building with significant achievements in internal cooperation, particularly in the economy, trade, investment, infrastructure connectivity and power grid development. ASEAN’s growing importance has gained increasing recognition and support from its partners.

He noted, however, that ASEAN continues to face internal and external challenges concerning peace, security and development in the region.

Prime Minister Chinh highly appreciated the ASEAN Secretariat and Secretary-General Kao for their vital role in coordinating the community-building process and supporting member states, including Vietnam, in their ASEAN cooperation.

He expressed his hope that the ASEAN Secretariat would continue to play an active role in implementing the ASEAN Community Vision 2045 and related strategic plans.

Secretary-General Kao described Vietnam as “one of ASEAN’s most outstanding core members” with an increasingly important and positive role.

He pledged to continue close coordination and support for Vietnam and other member states in building the ASEAN Community and expressed readiness to create favorable conditions for qualified Vietnamese professionals to work at the ASEAN Secretariat.

At the 47th ASEAN Summit, Cambodia and Thailand finalized a peace deal taking a giant step toward ending their border conflict and restoring peace.

Vietnam backs Laos’s development

During the meeting with his Lao counterpart Sonexay Siphandone, Prime Minister Chinh reaffirmed Vietnam’s commitment to sharing experience and continuing to assist Laos in developing national policies, digital transformation and innovation.

He expressed his belief that Laos would achieve greater success in celebrating the 50th anniversary of its National Day and building a peaceful, independent, democratic, united and prosperous nation.

Prime Minister Chinh stressed that Vietnam attaches the highest priority to its relations with Laos and always strives to strengthen their enduring friendship.

He thanked Laos for its sympathy over the heavy human and material losses caused by Typhoons Bualoi and Matmo and the severe flooding that recently hit Vietnam, while extending condolences for the damage Laos suffered from its own floods.

For his part, Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone agreed with Chinh’s assessments and remarks, sincerely appreciating Vietnam’s wholehearted and selfless support during both Laos’ struggle for national liberation and its current development.

He agreed to strengthen cooperation and ensure the effective and timely implementation of key joint projects to mark the major anniversaries of both Parties and countries in 2025.

The two prime ministers called on ministries and sectors to collaborate and implement major projects that connect both economies, especially in transport, including expressways, railways and energy, as well as in trade, investment, human resources training and building sustainable supply chains.

The two leaders agreed to closely coordinate the implementation of high-level agreements, enhance exchanges at all levels and further consolidate their special political trust.

They also agreed to deepen cooperation in defense and security and create breakthroughs in economic, trade and investment connectivity in line with their great friendship.

They reaffirmed close coordination at multilateral forums to protect each other’s legitimate interests and agreed to work together to prepare for the 48th meeting of the Vietnam–Laos Intergovernmental Committee.

Vietnam deepens ties with Japan, World Bank

On the same day, Prime Minister Chinh met Japan’s new Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae and World Bank Vice President Carlos Felipe Jaramillo.

Prime Minister Chinh congratulated Takaichi on her election as Japan’s first female Prime Minister and Jaramillo on his appointment as World Bank Vice President for East Asia and the Pacific from September 2025.

He reaffirmed that Vietnam regards Japan as a top strategic partner and stands ready to strengthen their comprehensive and practical cooperation.

Prime Minister Chinh called on Japan to provide ODA support for Vietnam’s key infrastructure projects and to cooperate in science and technology, human resources training, digital and green transition, semiconductors and energy.

He also encouraged stronger cooperation between localities of the two countries and more people-to-people exchanges, expressing hope that Japan would continue supporting the Vietnamese community living, working and studying there.

At his meeting with the World Bank’s Vice President Jaramillo, Prime Minister Chinh expressed confidence that Jaramillo’s expertise would contribute significantly to the World Bank’s development and its growing partnership with Vietnam.

Chinh requested the World Bank continue offering concessional loans for Vietnam’s projects in green transition, ASEAN clean power grid participation, climate change response and disaster resilience.

Japan’s Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae and World Bank’s Vice President Jaramillo agreed with Chinh’s proposals and pledged to implement the discussed commitments effectively.

Both also expressed their wish to visit Vietnam soon to discuss and advance the agreed areas of cooperation.

FIFA to build football academy in Vietnam

During his meeting with Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, FIFA President Gianni Infantino expressed his intention to build a FIFA football academy in Vietnam.

Infantino praised the progress of Vietnamese football, noting that Vietnamese players have improved in both fitness and technical skills.

He said the planned academy would help further enhance the country’s football capabilities.

Prime Minister Chinh thanked the FIFA President for his continuous support for Vietnamese football and expressed hope that FIFA would continue helping the sport grow.

He asked President Infantino to help connect Vietnamese football with Italy’s football sector, one of the world’s strongest.

Prime Minister Chinh invited Infantino to visit Vietnam and attend upcoming football-related activities. The FIFA President gladly accepted the invitation.

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