AGENDA

The ASEAN Future Forum 2024 is a one-day conference organized by the Diplomatic Academy of Viet Nam
under the patronage of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Viet Nam.

High-ranking officials from ASEAN Member States, including government leaders, policymakers, experts, and ASEAN's external partners, will participate in the event.

Building on the success of the inaugural forum, our aim is to host this as an annual event,
for detailed and wide-ranging discussions on the critical challenges and opportunities ahead for ASEAN.

WELCOMING REMARKS

H.E. Bui Thanh Son
Minister of Foreign Affairs of Viet Nam

Opening Session

H.E. Pham Minh Chinh
Prime Minister of Viet Nam

H.E. Sonexay Siphandone
Prime Minister of the Lao PDR,
ASEAN Chair 2024

H.E. Kao Kim Hourn
Secretary-General of ASEAN

Featuring video messages from

The Right Honourable
Dato' Seri Anwar bin Ibrahim
Prime Minister of Malaysia,
incoming ASEAN Chair 2025
(video message)

H.E. António Guterres
Secretary-General
of the United Nations
(video message)

With congratulatory remarks from

H.E. Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.
President of the
Republic of the Philippines

H.E. Srettha Thavisin,
Prime Minister of
the Kingdom of Thailand

H.E. Xanana Gusmão,
Prime Minister of the
Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste

Plenary session 1:
ASEAN’s Rapid Development for a Sustainable Future

This session is dedicated to envisioning a path for ASEAN towards a sustainable, inclusive, and resilient future. ASEAN's Community building goals have been closely aligned with the United Nations (UN) Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development and the ASEAN Digital Masterplan 2025. Aiming to support and contribute to the 2024 Summit of the Future, the Forum provides a venue for multi-stakeholder deliberations that demonstrate ASEAN's commitment and action to join a new global consensus on multilateral solutions to current and future challenges. Among the top agendas will be how ASEAN could work to reform global governance toward a multilateral system that is more effective, more trusted, more inclusive, and better equipped to capitalize on the opportunities of a future world that will be characterized technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), 5G, and blockchain.

Views are expected to be exchanged on potential governance models and initiatives that can allow ASEAN Member States to navigate economic uncertainties and strategic complexities toward sustained economic growth and prosperity in the post-pandemic era. A harmonious balance is sought between the urgent need for rapid socio-economic development and the imperative for environmental sustainability and strategic autonomy, taking into account the importance of data-driven decision-making, public-private partnerships, and innovative solutions in the fields of renewable energy, circular economy, and sustainable supply chains as the cornerstones of growth.

Lead speakers:

  • The Hon. Dato Erywan Pehin Yusof, Second Minister of Foreign Affairs of Brunei Darussalam

  • H.E. Nguyen Manh Hung, Minister of Information and Communication of Vietnam

Panelists:

  • H.E. Kishore Mahbubani, Distinguished Fellow, Asia Research Institute, National University of Singapore

  • Prof. Tetsuya Watanabe, President, Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia

  • Prof. Ian Goldin, former Vice President of World Bank, University of Oxford

  • H.E. Eduardo Pedrosa, Secretary-General, Pacific Economic Cooperation Council

  • Amb. Brian McFeeters, Senior Vice President, US – ASEAN Business Council

Moderated by Ambassador, Dr. Dino Patti Djalal, Founder of the Foreign Policy Community of Indonesia

Key questions

  1. What governance patterns and digital transformation strategies should ASEAN Member States adopt to sustain fast and on-track development amidst geo-strategic complexities and the evolving global architecture?

  2. How can ASEAN Member States effectively align the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) with their national development strategies, incorporating emerging technologies and data-driven decision-making?

  3. What strategies should ASEAN Member States pursue to ensure inclusive growth, upskilling and reskilling the workforce to meet the demands of the digital economy?

  4. How can regional collaboration and public-private partnerships facilitate efforts to achieve green transition, digital transformation, sustainable management and use of resources, and the development of smart cities?

  5. What role could AI, IoT, 5G, blockchain, and other emerging technologies play in driving innovation and meeting the development imperatives of ASEAN Member States, while fostering a resilient and inclusive post-pandemic recovery?

Lunch Retreat 

“Redefining ASEAN Centrality”

(by invitation only)

Lead speaker:
-   H.E. Marty Natalegawa, Former Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia

-  H.E. George Yeo, Former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Singapore

Moderated by Ambassador Nguyen Trung Thanh, Former ASEAN SOM Leader of Viet Nam

Attendance:

  • Secretary-General of ASEAN

  • Senior Officials/Ambassadors of ASEAN Member States and ASEAN’s external partners

  • Eminent ASEAN scholars

~~~

Business luncheon 

“Towards a cohesive, resilient and sustainable ASEAN Business Community:
Seizing opportunities in the digital age”

(by invitation only)

The business luncheon will be honored by the presence of
H.E. Pham Minh Chinh,
Prime Minister of the
Socialist Republic of Viet Nam
and
H.E. Sonexay Siphandone,
Prime Minister of the
Lao People's Democratic Republic.

Plenary session 2:
Ensuring Comprehensive Security for
a People-Centered ASEAN Community

This session focuses on visualising a comprehensive approach by ASEAN in safeguarding regional security in an increasingly complex and uncertain world. It aims to explore holistic approaches that ensure all dimensions of the security concept, including economic, social, environmental, and digital resilience, are duly addressed. Discussions are expected to explore new models for ASEAN Member States to not only safeguard against a broad spectrum of threats, from cyber-security and disinformation to climate change and natural disasters, but also place the well-being, prosperity, and digital empowerment of the people at the core of ASEAN Community building.

The session will also explore potential ways for ASEAN to leverage developments in AI, biotechnology, and big data analytics, to play a more effective role in promoting human security, while positioning ASEAN as an active contributor to a safer, more resilient, and digitally secure world.

Lead speakers:

• H.E. Retno Marsudi, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia

•  H.E. S. Jaishankar, Minister of External Affairs of India (video message)

Panelists:

  • H.E. Kung Phoak, Secretary of State, Kingdom of Cambodia

  • H.E. George Yeo, former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Singapore

  • Mr. Kavi Chongkittavorn, Senior Fellow, Institute for Strategic and International Studies, Thailand

  • Prof. Yang Jiemian, Chairman, Academic Advisory Council, Shanghai Institutes for International Studies

  • H.E. Tony Blair, Former UK Prime Minister (video message)

  • Dr. Damian Hickey, Regional Director for Southeast Asia, Tony Blair Institute for Global Change

Moderated by Ambassador Pham Quang Vinh, Former Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Viet Nam, ASEAN SOM Leader of Viet Nam

Key questions

  1. How can ASEAN develop a comprehensive and adaptable framework for regional security that effectively addresses the multifaceted challenges posed by traditional and non-traditional threats, while maintaining rapid economic development?

  2. What capacity-building measures and best practices should ASEAN Member States adopt to enhance their resilience against cyber threats, disinformation campaigns, and other emerging security risks, while fostering a secure and reliable digital ecosystem?

  3. How can ASEAN leverage advancements in AI, biotechnology, and big data analytics to develop innovative solutions for climate change adaptation, disaster risk reduction, and maritime security?

  4. What strategies can ASEAN employ to promote greater regional cooperation and information sharing in addressing transnational security challenges, such as pandemics, terrorism, and organized crime, while respecting the sovereignty and diverse interests of its Member States?

Interface Session:

ASEAN Secretary-General meets Youth Representatives from Viet Nam and the ASEAN Member States

This planned side event is envisioned as an impactful conversation between the ASEAN Secretary-General and youth representatives from Viet Nam and the other ASEAN Member States. The focus of this session will be two-fold:

Firstly, the Secretary-General will outline the future directions of ASEAN, providing a roadmap of key initiatives and strategic goals.

Secondly, the session will emphasize the critical role of young people in advancing the ASEAN community, inviting energetic dialogue on how young people can contribute to and benefit from ASEAN’s development.