![\"\"](\"https:\/\/pakistanintheworld.pk\/live\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Viet-Nam-ASEAN-Pakistan-web.jpg\")
H.E Pham Anh Tuan<\/strong><\/em><\/span>\nAmbassador of Viet Nam to Pakistan<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n
(Read at the seminar on 59th anniversary of ASEAN held at Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad on 02 Sep 2026)<\/p>\n
The world is undergoing profound transformation. Geopolitical competition is intensifying, the global economy faces growing fragmentation, while climate change, digital transformation, cybersecurity, food and energy security, and supply chain resilience pose challenges that no country or region can address alonne.<\/p>\n
In such a world , the question is not only how we adapt to change, but more importantly, how we navigate and shape our future together.<\/p>\n
2026 is an important year for ASEAN. Under the Philippines’ Chairmanship and the theme ” Navigating Our Future, Together, ” ASEAn is focusing on three strategic priorities : Peace and Security Anchors, Prosperity Corridors and People Empowerment.<\/p>\n
It is also an important period for the implementation of ASEAN 2035: Our Shared Future., our long term vision for a resilient , dynamic, innovative and people centred ASEAN community.<\/p>\n
In my view, ASEAN’s strength lies not only in its economic or demographic weight, but more importantly in its ability to bring together highly diverse nations through dialogue, consensus, mutual respect and cooperation. In an increasingly uncertain and polarized world, these principles are more valuable than ever.<\/p>\n
Pakistan and ASEAN have travelled together for more than three decades, since Pakistan became an ASEAN Sectoral Dialogue Partner in 1993. Our relationship has steadily expanded across many areas, while the ASEAN-Pakistan Practical Cooperation Areas 2024-28 provide an important framework for further cooperation.<\/p>\n
First ,<\/strong> we should work together for regional peace and stability.<\/p>\n Both aSEAN and Pakistan are affected by geopolitical competition, terrorism and emerging non-traditional security challenges. ASEAN’s experience shows that dialogue, confidence-building and the peaceful settlement of differences remain essential for maintaining peace and stability.<\/p>\n What we need is a regional environment in which countries are not forced to choose one side or another, but are free to choose peace, cooperation and development.<\/p>\n Second,<\/strong> we should build new corridors of prosperity between ASEAN and Pakistan.<\/p>\n ASEAN Pakistan trade has grown, but remains well below its potential. Our economies have strong complementary characteristics in areas such as textiles, agriculture, pharmaceuticals and technology, as well as emerging sectors including the digital economy, energy, logistics and tourism.<\/p>\n We should gradually change the way we look at ASEAN and Pakistan: not as two geographically distant markets, but as two economic spaces that can become increasingly interconnected.<\/p>\n Third,<\/strong> we should bring our peoples closer together.<\/p>\n G2G relations provide the framework, but P2P relations give a partnership its lasting strength. We need more exchanges among students, scholars, businesses, tourists and young people. Institutions such as ISSI also have an important role to play in helping us better understand each other and in translating good ideas into practical policy recommendations.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/pakistanintheworld.pk\/live\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/ASEAN-Pakistan-Full-Dialogue-Vietnam.jpg\")
Looking ahead, I believe we should focus on three key directions.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n