Hanoi (VNA) – ASEAN Secretary-General Dr. Kao Kim Hourn and Phnom Penh-based analysts have highlighted Vietnam’s proactive and responsible role in driving the formation of a resilient, prosperous, peaceful, sustainable, and inclusive ASEAN Community in line with the four strategic pillars of the ASEAN Community Vision 2045.

Talking to the Vietnam News Agency’s correspondents in Cambodia on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of Vietnam’s accession to ASEAN (July 28, 1995 – 2025), Kao Kim Hourn expressed optimism about the prospects for cooperation and development within the regional bloc, affirming that Vietnam has consistently played an active and proactive role in supporting ASEAN’s work in various ways, through economics, diplomacy, security, politics, and socio-culture.

Over the past three decades, Vietnam made significant contributions to ASEAN, and in the next 20 years, it is expected to remain a key driver in building a dynamic, innovative, resilient, and people-centred ASEAN Community.

To achieve this goal, ASEAN must maintain peace, stability and security; promote economic development and ensure the bloc continues to have a stronger and unified voice, Kao Kim Hourn said.

According to the ASEAN chief, ASEAN has risen from being the world’s 11th largest economy in 2005 to the 5th in 2023 and is expected to become the 4th largest by 2030. This trajectory, he noted, requires strong contributions from all member states, especially the pivotal role of Vietnam. He showed his belief that Vietnam’s active engagement benefits not only the country itself but also the entire bloc.

A strong and resilient ASEAN will bring benefits for all its members and their people, he said, noting that A strong Vietnam means a strong ASEAN and vice versa.

Meanwhile, Puy Kea, President of the Club of Cambodian Journalists (CCJ), affirmed that Vietnam holds an important voice within ASEAN, not only in economic and political matters but across a wide range of issues.

Like other member states, Vietnam maintains a clear vision for ASEAN’s operational direction and development path, as well as for promoting economic and trade integration, which are considered vital to the livelihoods of people across the region, he said.

Puy Kea stressed that Vietnam has an important vision on many issues, including seeking solutions to disputes in the East Sea, a issue Vietnam consistently raises as part of ASEAN’s common approach at all forums.

Sharing his perspective on the East Sea issue, Thong Mengdavid, a regional geopolitics and international security analyst from the Institute for International Studies and Public Policy (IISPP) under the Royal University of Phnom Penh (RUPP), said Vietnam can help ASEAN maintain neutrality and cohesion amid growing geopolitical competition. To support the ASEAN Community Vision 2045, he suggested Vietnam continue promoting ASEAN’s solidarity and strategic autonomy by advocating for the bloc’s centrality and a rules-based regional order.

The Cambodian expert noted that in the economic realm, Vietnam should strengthen its role in advancing regional integration by promoting digital transformation, green economic initiatives, and supply chain resilience by aligning policies with the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA) Agreement, to help build a competitive and innovative economic community.

In addition, Vietnam can play a key role in promoting sustainable development and climate resilience within ASEAN by sharing its experience in renewable energy development, environmental protection, and Mekong River governance, he added.

Vietnam can also help narrow development gaps and enhance the resilience and adaptability of its people by strengthening social welfare systems and promoting regional cooperation for vulnerable populations, in line with the ASEAN Declaration on Strengthening Social Work, he noted.

According to Mengdavid, Vietnam should promote people-centred development by supporting education, workforce training, and regional youth cooperation through establishing vocational and technical training centres, and providing scholarships to students across ASEAN.

He emphasised that these areas serve as key mechanisms for Vietnam to formulate strategic, flexible, and forward-looking national development and foreign policies, well-suited to an unpredictable geopolitical and economic landscape; and also the pillars and core mechanisms of ASEAN in building a resilient, prosperous, peaceful, and☂ inclusive community for future generations./.