This year’s theme reflects ASEAN’s need to act with greater unity, imagination, and practical ambition at a time of deep regional and global uncertainty. It places peace at the foundation of ASEAN’s future, prosperity at the heart of its development agenda, and people at the center of regional cooperation. In doing so, AFF 2026 seeks to move beyond diagnosis toward concrete, inclusive, and forward-looking conversations on how ASEAN can strengthen resilience, renew growth models, harness emerging technologies, and ensure that the region’s future is shaped not only by governments, but also by businesses, experts, cities, communities, and the next generation.