Speaking to the press ahead of the event, Cuong said Viet Nam hopes the forum will continue to demonstrate its role as an active and responsible member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), contributing to regional affairs and advancing the Party and State’s foreign policy and international integration strategy.
Under the theme “Shaping Our Future Together: Peace, Prosperity and People-Centred,” AFF 2026 reflects ASEAN’s key priorities. Peace remains a prerequisite for development, prosperity is a shared goal of all member states, and placing people at the centre embodies the spirit of the ASEAN Community.
The deputy minister stressed that the future of the region cannot be shaped without the participation of its people, who are both contributors to and beneficiaries of regional cooperation. Accordingly, this year’s edition is designed as an open platform bringing together leaders, scholars, businesses, youth representatives, social organisations, political parties and local authorities.
Referring to Party General Secretary and State President To Lam’s keynote address at the Shangri-La Dialogue 2026, Cuong noted that the Vietnamese leader highlighted the need for an open, inclusive and ASEAN-centred regional architecture. He also underscored that ASEAN's centrality must be reinforced through unity, strategic autonomy and the bloc’s ability to shape a common agenda.
According to Cuong, AFF 2026 serves as a continuation of that vision by providing a platform for ASEAN and its partners to discuss ways to maintain the bloc’s central role amid an increasingly complex strategic environment, ensuring that new initiatives and mechanisms complement rather than weaken ASEAN's centrality.
Resilience, one of the forum’s key themes, has become increasingly important in a world marked by uncertainties and rapid changes. However, resilience should not be equated with isolation or self-reliance alone, he said.
For ASEAN and its member states, genuine resilience can only be achieved through cooperation. A resilient ASEAN is one capable of turning connectivity into a source of collective strength.
This spirit is reflected in discussions on ASEAN solidarity, conflict prevention, artificial intelligence (AI) governance and energy security. Organisers aim to connect these issues more closely with people's daily lives through a human-centred approach to AI, efforts to narrow the digital divide, and the promotion of green transition and energy security that bring tangible benefits to communities.
On this occasion, four regional leaders – Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet, Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Timor-Leste Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão – will pay official visits to Viet Nam.
This year’s forum will also feature two new initiatives: a dedicated discussion on cooperation among Southeast Asian political parties and the ASEAN Cities Leader Conference hosted by Ha Noi. Together with side events on the Mekong sub-region, youth engagement and AI governance, these activities are expected to broaden participation and strengthen the forum’s people-centred approach.
Initiated by Viet Nam and first announced at the ASEAN Summit in 2023, the forum has seen a number of its recommendations reflected in ASEAN Summit documents over the past two years, demonstrating its growing contribution to the bloc’s official processes.
