Vietnam PM: Need for greater Asean unity to tackle global hurdles
Looking ahead: Chinh delivering his special keynote address at the ALPF in Kuala Lumpur. — YAP CHEE HONG/The Star
KUALA LUMPUR: Greater unity within Asean is urgently needed to confront today's global challenges, says Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh at the 2025 Asean Leadership and Partnership Forum (ALPF).
He said that no single country can tackle the world's complex issues alone and emphasised the importance of multilateralism and global cooperation.
'No one can solve these global, comprehensive and people-oriented issues alone, not even the United States or China,' he said.
Citing the Covid-19 pandemic as an example, Chinh highlighted the interconnected nature of today's world, where crises quickly impact global systems, livelihoods and public health.
The ALPF was jointly organised by the Asean Economic Club, Asean Business Club, Asean Business Advisory Council and KSI Strategic Institute for Asia Pacific, on the eve of the 46th Asean Summit here.
In a special keynote address read by Cambodian Senior Minister Sok Siphana, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet urged Asean to adopt a more proactive stance amid a fast-evolving global economic landscape.
'We cannot afford to be reactive. By leveraging our Free Trade Agreements, the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership and strategic ties with key global markets, we ensure that Asean remains a driver of global growth.
'By doing so, we ensure that Asean remains a driver of global growth, rather than a bystander to external economic pressures,' he said.
Hun Manet reaffirmed Cambodia's support for regional cooperation through initiatives such as the Asean Digital Economy Framework Agreement, while warning that a widening digital divide could hinder progress.
'Asean must take decisive steps to ensure digital transformation benefits all member states. This includes expanding digital connectivity, strengthening cybersecurity frameworks and investing in digital skills training,' he said.
Tan Sri Michael Yeoh, founder and chairman of the Asean Economic Club and president of KSI Strategic Institute for Asia Pacific, highlighted the forum's focus on inclusive development.
He stressed the importance of Asean's participation in the global 'great reset' to address change.
'We are living in a world facing a polycrisis, and Asean faces a VUCA environment: volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous,' he said.
Yeoh added that Asean's path forward should focus on centrality, connectivity and climate action, while addressing disruption, digitalisation and division.
Special video addresses were also delivered by Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and Asean secretary-general Dr Kao Kim Hourn.
A highlight of the forum was the presentation of the Distinguished Asean Leader Award to Chinh in recognition of his outstanding leadership and contributions to regional cooperation, economic resilience and sustainable development in Asean.
The forum was sponsored by the Kuok Group and Asia Platinum Capital, with Star Media Group Bhd, China Daily and Khmer Times as media partners.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Sun
24 minutes ago
- The Sun
MIDF Research: Crude oil prices to remain under pressure as supply outpaces demand
KUALA LUMPUR: Crude oil prices are expected to remain under pressure and could fall below US$65 (RM274) per barrel (pb) due to persistent oversupply and weaker demand projections, according to MIDF Amanah Investment Bank Bhd (MIDF Research). However, MIDF Research noted that prices may stabilise over the longer term, even as inventories continue to rise. Sentiment surrounding trade policy developments between the United States and China remains a significant risk to market movements, it said in a note. 'Natural gas and liquified natural gas (LNG) are expected to see a rebound after May 2025's maintenance round concluded for most of the global gas and LNG facilities. Nevertheless, the downside risks to the lower oil price remain on new exploration projects, but may be beneficial for onshore storage, long-term tankers and retail fuel,' it said. MIDF Research opines that the scenarios of the global oil market and global economy will continue to keep Brent crude oil price within the US$60-65 pb range, averaging around US$62 pb this month. 'This lower expectation is considering the risks of post-US trade tariff pause, as well as the stockpiling of oil inventories in the near term,' said MIDF Research. Meanwhile, the investment bank said Asean collaborations have offered a brighter outlook for the oil and gas (O&G) sector. MIDF Research stated that Petroliam Nasional Bhd (Petronas) is continuing its aggressive exploration and production activities in the upstream sector, despite lower crude oil prices. Meanwhile, the midstream and downstream divisions are expected to turn towards sustainability and green energy solutions, integrating these initiatives into their operations. 'During the Asean summit that concluded in May 2025, the transportation and logistics of LNG and carbon capture and storage (CCS) were highlighted as strategic priorities for the region. 'More focus was set on renewable energy and hydrogen projects to be integrated with the conventional O&G developments, providing a balanced and sound energy transition as highlighted in Malaysia's National Energy Transition Roadmap,' it noted. MIDF Research said regional cooperation is likely to expand through energy security, carbon credit management, Environmental Corporation America compliance and CCS solutions. 'In addition, we opine that domestic demand and robust LNG exports will continue to locally support the sector. 'Overall, we retain a 'Neutral' view on the O&G sector, as it continues to face challenges, primarily from oil price volatility, driven by output hikes from the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries plus and non-Opec producers, including sluggish global demand due to tariff-related uncertainties,' it added. – Bernama
The Star
an hour ago
- The Star
Vietnam exports up as US tariff threat lingers
HANOI: Vietnam's exports rose sharply last month, official figures showed Friday (June 6), as the communist country tries to negotiate relief from swingeing tariffs threatened by US President Donald Trump. May exports stood at US$39.6 billion, according to data from the General Statistics Office, up 17 percent on the same period a year ago, while the year-to-date total reached US$180.2 billion, 14 percent higher than in 2024. Vietnam, a major centre for global brands producing shoes and clothes, says it is making progress in talks with Washington to head off Trump's threatened 46 percent levy. The Southeast Asian manufacturing hub has the third-biggest trade surplus with the United States after China and Mexico, putting it in the firing line for Trump's "Liberation Day" global tariff blitz. Vietnam's overall import-export turnover stood at $78.6 billion in May, 15.5 percent higher than the same month last year. Imports were up by 14.1 percent year on year to stand at $39 billion in May. Processed industrial goods dominated exports, while imports were led by production materials. Despite the tariff uncertainty, the United States remained Vietnam's number one export market with $57 billion in the first five months of 2025 -- up from $44 billion over the same period a year ago. Vietnamese and US trade negotiators meeting in Paris this week agreed to step up the pace of their talks. Vietnam has signed several agreements to buy hundreds of millions of dollars' worth of agricultural products and other raw materials from the United States as it seeks to rebalance their trading partnership. Trump's real estate group also broke ground last month on a $1.5-billion luxury golf resort in Vietnam, while his son Eric Trump has been scouting locations for a potential tower project in Ho Chi Minh City, the country's southern business hub. - AFP
The Sun
an hour ago
- The Sun
China's Report Highlights Commitment to Peace in South China Sea
BEIJING: Xinhua Institute, a think tank affiliated with Xinhua News Agency, on Sunday released a report highlighting China's commitment to building the South China Sea into a sea of peace, friendship, and cooperation. The report, titled 'Making the South China Sea a Sea of Peace, Friendship and Cooperation: China's Actions' and published in both Chinese and English, noted that China has always been a steadfast advocate, promoter, and guardian of peace and stability in the South China Sea, reported Xinhua. According to the report, China has long maintained that peace and stability in these waters depend on collaborative efforts between China and member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Through deepened trust and cooperation across political, economic, and cultural spheres, this partnership has created lasting mutual benefits. Consequently, China has emerged as a reliable force for maintaining regional peace and stability while promoting cooperation and development in the South China Sea. The report stated that China has always adhered to the principles of building the South China Sea into a sea of peace, friendship, and cooperation: equal-footed consultation, rule-based co-management, mutually beneficial cooperation, and a constructive role. The report called on China and ASEAN countries to ensure that the solutions of the South China Sea issues remain in their own hands, to adhere to sound principles and direction in addressing the issues, and to continue upholding the notion of a maritime community with a shared future. The report also called for joint efforts by China and ASEAN countries to build the South China Sea into a sea of peace, friendship, and cooperation that benefits the people of all regional countries. The think tank report has received positive evaluations from experts. They believe the report comprehensively explained China's practical achievements, insights, and pathways in advocating for the South China Sea to become a sea of peace, friendship, and cooperation, marking a significant academic contribution to the study of South China Sea issues. Zhang Jie, a research fellow at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, noted that the report not only offered historical depth but also summarised the latest developments in the South China Sea situation. It further clarified China's principled stance and comprehensively demonstrated China's positive contributions to the peace and stability of the South China Sea based on facts. Yang Xiao, a research fellow at the China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations, stated that the report, with a vision for a better future in the South China Sea, creatively explained and summarised China's consistent adherence to the principles on South China Sea issues. Those principles serve as the foundation for China-ASEAN dialogue, cooperation, and constructive development, carrying significant theoretical and practical importance for the future, consensus-building, and bridging differences. Ma Chao, associate research fellow at the Maritime Silk Road Research Institute of Hainan Normal University, believed that China, upholding the concept of a maritime community with a shared future, has deepened cooperation with parties in the South China Sea. The report once again demonstrated China's sincere commitment to maintaining peace and stability in the region, helping the international community better understand, appreciate, and respect China's stance on the South China Sea.
