Hanoi (VNA) –  ASEAN, over the past 56 years, has gradually affirmed its position as a pillar of peace, an epicentrum of growth and a nucleus of dialogue and cooperation in the region, wrote Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son in an article named “ASEAN: Epicentrum of peace, cooperation, development” on theoccasion of the group’s 56th founding anniversary (August 8, 1967-2023).

Born in the context of Southeast Asia's transformation,facing countless challenges and “storms” from all directions, ASEAN has better understoodthe value of a peaceful, secure and stable environment.

Standards of conduct built by ASEAN have contributed toshaping and leading cooperative relations towards the goal of peace, stabilityand common prosperity. The Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia(TAC) is a clear testament to the bloc's efforts. To date, the TAC with 51participating countries has become a fundamental document and the basis forrelations and behaviours among countries in the region.

Another example is the implementation of the Declaration onthe Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) and the ongoing negotiations on a Codeof Conduct in the East Sea (COC). This is ASEAN's efforts towards building theEast Sea into a sea of peace, cooperation and sustainable development, as wellas in building a culture of consultation and dialogue, according to Son.

With a total population of nearly 700 million and a GDP ofnearly 4 trillion USD, ASEAN is a large, dynamic and promisingeconomy. Overcoming headwinds of the world economy, the group has contributedto creating momentum and bringing optimistic hope to the regional economy.

Amidst the gloomy colours of the world economic picture,ASEAN is a bright spot for growth and an attractive investment destination. Itsgrowth is forecast to reach 4.7% in 2023 and 5% in 2024, far exceeding theworld average. Last year, the bloc's trade rose by nearly 15% to reach 3.8 trillion USD, while foreign direct investment (FDI) increased by 5.5% tonearly 225 billion USD.

Facing major global trends, ASEAN has quickly adjusted itsapproach, and boosted innovation and creativity in cooperation methods andcontents towards green, clean and sustainable directions; and at the same timesought and expanded collaboration in new potential areas.

Many measures have been drastically taken such as negotiatingto upgrade the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement, the bloc’s free trade agreements(FTAs) with China, the Republic of Korea, Japan and India; while a lot of newinitiatives have been launched such as the ASEAN Digital Economy FrameworkAgreement, the Framework for a Circular Economy, the ASEAN Blue EconomyFramework, and the ASEAN Strategy for Carbon Neutrality. They are thepreparation for an ASEAN that proactively adapts to various opportunities andchallenges towards the goal of sustainable and inclusive development and self-resilience enhancement, Son emphasised.

Regarding Vietnam’s presence in ASEAN, the foreign ministersaid that Vietnam joined the grouping at the beginning of its renewal andintegration process. The nearly-30-year journey has demonstrated the country’sconsistent policy of always making efforts and contributing its best for aunited and strongly developing ASEAN.

Vietnam has gradually played a pivotal and leading role inmany areas of ASEAN cooperation, he affirmed.

The sense of responsibility and practical contributions of itsministries, sectors and localities have helped affirm the image of aproactive, active, flexible and creative Vietnam with an increasing positionand voice in the region and the world. Vietnam's initiatives, especiallythrough its ASEAN Chairmanship terms in 1998, 2010 and 2020, have left valuableassets for the group, creating momentum to promote the process of building theASEAN Community.

Son cited Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong as sayingthat Vietnam is committed to wholeheartedly caring for the sustainability ofthe common ASEAN home, and the grouping’s cooperation and connectivity is a toppriority and a strategic choice of the nation.

Vietnam pledges to work with other member countries torealise an aspiration for a strongly transforming ASEAN, which is truly the epicentreof peace, cooperation and development, added the Vietnamese FM./.