The ASEAN Future Forum (AFF) aims to provide an open channel to generate ideas and discuss critical issues for the future of the ASEAN region.
| Trinh Minh Manh, Acting Director of the Institute for Foreign Policy and Strategic Studies (IFPSS) of the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam, at the press conference on February 13. Photos: Anh Son/Baoquocte |
The view was shared by Trinh Minh Manh, Acting Director of the Institute for Foreign Policy and Strategic Studies (IFPSS) of the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam, at a press conference on February 13.
The AFF 2025, the second of its kind, themed Building a United, Inclusive, and Resilient ASEAN amidst Global Transformations, will take place at the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam in Hanoi on February 25-26.
The Forum will be one of the largest multilateral events hosted by Vietnam in 2025.
Initiated by Vietnam’s Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and launched at the 43rd ASEAN Summit last September, the AFF will be attended by heads of State and Government namely Vietnam’s PM Pham Minh Chinh; Dato’ Seri Anwar bin Ibrahim, Prime Minister of Malaysia, ASEAN Chair 2025; Christopher Luxon, Prime Minister of New Zealand; and José Ramos-Horta, President of Timor Leste.
| Representatives at the press conference. |
The forum will bring together more than 500 participants, including 10 deputy prime ministers, ministers, and the ASEAN Secretary General.
According to Manh, the ASEAN Future Forum 2025 highlights Vietnam’s proactive and influential role in ASEAN, marking 30 years since its historic integration into the bloc.
“The AFF 2025 showcases Vietnam’s growing maturity in ASEAN, transitioning from a participant to an active contributor, driving the community’s collective efforts through practical and impactful initiatives like this forum,” Manh said.
On the first day of the Forum, February 25, the exhibition “Vietnam’s ASEAN Journey: 30 Years of Progress and Future Aspirations” will celebrate three decades of Vietnam’s membership in ASEAN through a compelling visual narrative.
It will feature a roundtable on “Women, Peace and Security: Digital Inclusion for Sustainable Peace” and the other on “Smart Agriculture for Regional Food Security”
The event will include plenary sessions namely Megatrends: Envisioning ASEAN and the World in 2035; Revisiting ASEAN’s Fundamentals: Preparing for Future Challenges; ASEAN Subregional Cooperation for Resilience and Sustainability; AI, Quantum Computing, and Beyond: Balancing Innovation and Regulation for Comprehensive Security; Bridging Divides: ASEAN’s Potential in a Fragmented World.
Notably, the Forum will cover the keynote session with remarks made by the aforementioned leaders and video messages from the United Nations and the European Commission.
The AFF 2024 is a one-day conference organized by the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam under the auspices of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam.
The first AFF marked the participation of high-ranking officials from ASEAN Member States, including government leaders, policymakers, experts, and ASEAN’s external partners.
