Philippine officials welcoming the Vietnamese leader and his entourage at Ninoy Aquino International Airport included Cabinet Secretary Benhur Abalos Jr., members of the House of Representatives, the city mayor, and representatives from the ASEAN National Organizing Council.
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Prime Minister Le Minh Hung leaves Hanoi on November 14 morning for the 49th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits in Manila, the Philippines. |
On the Vietnamese side were Ambassador to the Philippines Lai Thai Binh; Ambassador Ton Thi Ngoc Huong, Permanent Representative of Viet Nam to ASEAN; Vietnamese embassy staff and representatives of the Vietnamese community in the Philippines.
The summits bring together leaders of ASEAN member states and dialogue partners, the U.N. Secretary-General, and heads of various countries and international organizations.
The 49th ASEAN Summit is scheduled to feature a plenary session focusing on the ASEAN Community building process, specifically energy security, food security, and assistance for ASEAN citizens; along with a retreat session on regional and international issues of shared concern.
Meanwhile, the ASEAN+1, ASEAN+3, and East Asia Summit (EAS) will review the bloc’s relations with partners, chart future cooperation directions, and discuss global and regional developments.
The events are expected to adopt more than 30 documents. These include specialized ASEAN declarations on strategic trade management to ensure secure regional trade; promoting AI-driven growth for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs); enhancing regional oil supply resilience and security; and strengthening the role of ASEAN law enforcement agencies in emergency disaster preparedness and relief – an initiative proposed by Viet Nam; alongside joint statements with ASEAN+1, ASEAN+3, and EAS partners.
At the meetings, PM Le Minh Hung is set to deliver key remarks sharing Viet Nam’s perspectives on ASEAN’s priorities and development orientations. He will put forward practical proposals to accelerate the ASEAN Community building; bolster solidarity; enhance the bloc’s resilience, strategic autonomy, and proactive response to volatility; and deepen substantive ties with partners while upholding ASEAN centrality.
PM Le Minh Hung’s attendance underscores Viet Nam's sustained commitment to the bloc, which aligns consistently with the foreign policy set forth by the 14th National Party Congress, which defines ASEAN as a bloc of strategic importance and a top priority in Viet Nam’s external relations.
On the sidelines of the summits, he will hold bilateral meetings with leaders of participating countries to foster cooperation and discuss matters of mutual interest.
This marks the final series of summits during the Philippines' ASEAN Chairmanship year before the role for 2027 is handed over to Singapore.
Source: VNA