Jakarta (VNA) – Over the past three decades as a member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Vietnam has increasingly affirmed its role as a key driver of regional cohesion and cooperation, the Permanent Representative of Indonesia to ASEAN, Ambassador Derry Aman, told the Vietnam News Agency correspondent in Jakarta.

According to the diplomat, Vietnam has emerged as an active and constructive member of the bloc. Since the beginning of its membership in 1995, the country has consistently demonstrated a strong commitment to ASEAN’s core principles of unity, consensus, and regional resilience. Its leadership during rotating ASEAN chairmanships, marked by professionalism and forward-looking agendas, has been particularly notable, especially in 2020 – when the COVID-19 pandemic posed unprecedented global challenges.

The Indonesian ambassador stated that Vietnam plays a pivotal role in the Initiative for ASEAN Integration (IAI), aimed at narrowing the development gap among member states. He also praised Vietnam’s proposal to establish the ASEAN Future Forum in 2024 as a timely and strategic move to help shape the bloc’s future and realise a shared vision for a more resilient, united, and forward-looking ASEAN.

Vietnam has played a significant role in building the ASEAN Community across all the three political-security, economic, and socio-cultural pillars. The country’s active participation in regional dialogue mechanisms, its constructive approach to sensitive regional issues, and its deepening economic integration with fellow ASEAN members have all contributed to the bloc’s collective capacity and resilience, Aman said.

From Indonesia’s perspective, Vietnam is seen as a valuable partner in fostering a cohesive, adaptable, and people-centred ASEAN.

On the three decades of bilateral cooperation within the regional association, the ambassador noted that Vietnam and Indonesia share a common vision for a peaceful, stable, and inclusive Southeast Asia. Both strongly support ASEAN's centrality, regional cooperation, and a rules-based international order. They have so far worked closely on the bloc’s key priorities, including maritime cooperation, economic integration, sustainable development, and climate action.

On the East Sea issue, he noted that Vietnam and Indonesia have always advocated dialogue, adherence to international law, and the peaceful resolution of disputes, particularly in line with the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). This common stance reflects their broader commitment to regional stability and diplomacy.

The two countries' partnership has expanded beyond the bilateral scope towards regional and global cooperation, Aman went on, perceiving that they boast huge potential for stronger ties in such strategic fields as renewable energy, digital transformation, digital connectivity, food security, agriculture, sustainable sea-based economy, maritime security, and hi-tech industries, which are key to their common efforts towards the high-income status by 2045.

He suggested the two nations work together to strengthen ASEAN’s capacity to tackle emerging challenges such as those involving the digital economy, digital transformation, and the green economy. Indonesia looks forward to Vietnam maintaining its proactive role within the bloc, particularly in supporting the implementation of the ASEAN Community Vision 2045, he added.

With its dynamic economy, diplomatic experience, and strong commitment to multilateralism, Aman affirmed that Vietnam is well-positioned to play an active role in shaping ASEAN’s future in the decades to come. By leveraging their shared priorities and comparative advantages, Vietnam and Indonesia can become a powerful driving force behind a resilient, innovative, and future-ready bloc.

Congratulating the Vietnamese Government and people on 30 years of the country's ASEAN membership, the Indonesian ambassador described Vietnam's journey in the bloc as a notable demonstration of the vision and steadfast dedication to regional peace and prosperity.

൩ As both countries are working to further intensify their partnership in ASEAN, Indonesia wishes to reinforce ties for the sake of their peoples and for a more peaceful and prosperous Southeast Asia, he added, expressing his hope that friendship between the two countries and among those in ASEAN will continue flourishing in the coming decades./.