ASEAN Secretary-General: Prioritizing green transition and regional supply chains

On May 11, at the headquarters of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Secretariat in Jakarta, Kao Kim Hourn announced the outcomes of the 48th ASEAN Summit and related meetings recently held in Cebu, the Philippines.

The ASEAN Secretary-General stated that the most notable highlight of this year’s summit was the session among ASEAN leaders, which featured open and candid discussions conducted in a spirit of mutual respect.

Under the theme “Navigating Our Future Together,” ASEAN leaders emphasized the need to strengthen energy connectivity, diversify energy supply sources, accelerate renewable energy development, and expedite the ratification of the ASEAN Petroleum Security Agreement (APSA), while also advancing the operation of the ASEAN Power Grid.

ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn speaks at the event. Photo: ASEAN.org.

ASEAN agreed to maintain open markets, ensure the flow of essential goods, and accelerate the ratification of the upgraded ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement Protocol (ATIGA 2.0). The role of the ASEAN+3 Emergency Rice Reserve and the protection of ASEAN citizens living and working in the Middle East were also discussed amid rising geopolitical tensions.

“This summit adopted and acknowledged 18 important documents, while reaffirming the spirit of ASEAN unity,” Mr. Kao said.

The conference also emphasized maritime cooperation as a strategic priority for ASEAN. Leaders reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining peace, security, and freedom of navigation in accordance with the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS 1982), while promoting substantive and effective negotiations on the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea (COC).

The summit also approved multiple initiatives related to climate change, disaster resilience, support for micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), as well as digital transformation and green economic development.

Prime Minister Le Minh Hung reaffirmed Viet Nam’s support and commitment to cooperating with the Philippine President and ASEAN member states in implementing the Philippines’ priorities and initiatives for 2026. Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac.

Viet Nam’s imprint at the summit

The high-level Vietnamese delegation, led by Prime Minister Le Minh Hung, participated actively and made significant contributions to the success of the summit, reaffirming the foreign policy orientation of the 14th National Party Congress, which continues to prioritize ASEAN and commits Viet Nam to proactive, active, and responsible contributions toward building a united and strong ASEAN Community.

Viet Nam’s proposed measures were highly comprehensive, covering peace, security, and stability; strengthening intra-bloc solidarity; enhancing regional economic and trade connectivity; removing trade barriers within ASEAN; expanding ASEAN’s external relations; broadening ASEAN’s strategic space through connectivity and economic agreements with external partners; and strengthening ASEAN cooperation in ensuring energy security, food security, and human security.

“Viet Nam’s proposals were welcomed and strongly supported by ASEAN member states, which highly appreciated both their substance and timeliness. Based on proposals from Viet Nam and other countries, ASEAN adopted the ASEAN Leaders’ Declaration on Priority Actions to Strengthen Regional Resilience in Response to the Impacts of the Situation in the Middle East,” Deputy Foreign Minister Dang Hoang Giang stated.