On the morning of June 9, immediately following the third ASEAN Future Forum, the first plenary session took place with the theme “Resilience and Unity in a Changing World.”

The two main speakers of this working session were: Member of the Party Central Committee, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam Nguyen Manh Cuong; Dr. Marty Natalegawa, former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Indonesia.

In addition, the discussion session also featured four other speakers: Professor Tetsuya Watanabe, Chairman of the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA); Mr. Yves Tiberghien, Professor of Political Science at the University of British Columbia (Canada); Mr. Kuik Cheng-Chwee, Professor of International Relations at the Institute of Malaysian and International Studies (IKMAS), National University of Malaysia (UKM); Mr. Adam Schwarz, Managing Director of Asia Group Advisors.

Associate Professor, Dr. Dang Dinh Quy, former Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, moderated the session.

Opening the discussion, Dr. Marty Natalegawa, former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Indonesia, stated that ASEAN cannot be passive but must continuously strive to maintain its role through diplomatic initiatives, leveraging the region’s diversity to create a sustainable source of strength rather than allowing itself to be divided.

Dr. Marty Natalegawa, former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Indonesia.

Based on this mechanism, Mr. Marty Natalegawa recommended that ASEAN can dynamically promote stability, while enhancing its capacity to respond to regional crises and strengthening resilience against external geopolitical shocks.

To proactively manage regional issues, Dr. Marty Natalegawa proposed that ASEAN needs a comprehensive, specific, and mutually beneficial security framework that avoids displacing people or exposing them to the impacts of conflicts, health crises, natural disasters, and so on.

According to the former Indonesian Foreign Minister, through maintaining dialogue and cooperation, ASEAN can continue to expand its “circle of friendship,” reinforce strategic stability, and affirm its independent role in a rapidly changing world.

During the discussion on resilience and unity, Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Manh Cuong focused on analyzing the concept of “cooperative resilience” after posing the question: “What constitutes the resilience strength of a nation?”

Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Manh Cuong speaks at the plenary session.

Deputy Minister Nguyen Manh Cuong stated that the answer changes daily with shifts in the international environment. For decades, integration has been the path to growth, stability, and prosperity.

However, the world faces a paradox: the deeper and wider the connections, the more vulnerable countries become. Looking at the Covid-19 pandemic, supply chain disruptions, tariff tools, and the development of science and technology, it is clear that factors that once created connections, if not effectively governed and managed, risk turning into risks.

According to the Deputy Minister, this paradox does not deny the value of the integration process, but it requires ASEAN to reconsider the concept of resilience in a new context. “Resilience is not about isolating or closing ourselves off, but about developing internal strength while expanding connections and building more diverse cooperation networks. Resilience and cooperation always go hand in hand,” the Deputy Minister affirmed.

From that perspective, Deputy Minister Nguyen Manh Cuong stated that countries, especially small and medium-sized ones, need to avoid an isolationist mindset because true autonomy does not come from standing outside cooperation networks but from the ability to participate, contribute, and make choices within regional and international cooperation structures. The Deputy Minister emphasized that the quality of cooperation should be prioritized over merely focusing on the number of established mechanisms.

Delegates attending the first plenary session of the third ASEAN Future Forum.

Cooperation networks also need to be expanded in a multi-layered and inclusive direction, involving businesses, research institutes, local governments, youth, and political-social organizations. Countries also need to be more proactive in shaping the agenda, actively contributing to efforts to maintain peace and stability, as well as promoting regional cooperation.

In the in-depth discussion part of the working session, Professor Tetsuya Watanabe noted that ASEAN needs a new approach to economic development, where strengthening industrial cooperation at the regional level should be seen as a priority.

He presented the view that

ASEAN

ASEAN, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, was established on August 8, 1967, in Bangkok, Thailand, by five founding members: Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand. It was created to promote political and economic cooperation, regional stability, and cultural exchange among Southeast Asian countries, later expanding to include Brunei, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar, and Cambodia. Today, ASEAN serves as a key platform for dialogue and integration, fostering peace and prosperity in a diverse region.

Indonesia

Indonesia is a vast Southeast Asian archipelago comprising thousands of volcanic islands, with a rich history shaped by Hindu-Buddhist kingdoms, Islamic sultanates, and European colonization, particularly by the Dutch. It declared independence in 1945 and is now the world’s largest archipelagic state, known for its diverse cultures, languages, and iconic sites like Borobudur Temple and Bali’s terraced rice paddies. The nation’s motto, “Bhinneka Tunggal Ika” (Unity in Diversity), reflects its blend of ethnic groups and traditions.

Vietnam

Vietnam is a Southeast Asian country known for its rich history, diverse culture, and stunning landscapes. Its history includes ancient civilizations, centuries of Chinese rule, French colonization, and the Vietnam War, which ended in 1975. Today, Vietnam is a rapidly developing nation, famous for its bustling cities, serene countryside, and iconic sites like Ha Long Bay and the Cu Chi Tunnels.

University of British Columbia

The University of British Columbia (UBC) is a public research university located in Vancouver, Canada, founded in 1908 as the McGill University College of British Columbia. It moved to its current Point Grey campus in 1925, which features stunning ocean and mountain views. Today, UBC is renowned for its academic excellence, innovative research, and vibrant multicultural community.

National University of Malaysia (UKM)

The National University of Malaysia (UKM), established in 1970, is one of the country’s premier public universities. Originally founded in Kuala Lumpur, it moved to its main campus in Bangi, Selangor, in 1977, and has since grown into a leading research institution. UKM is known for its emphasis on Malay language and culture, while also offering a wide range of academic programs in science, technology, and the humanities.

Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA)

The Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA) is an international research organization established in 2008 to support economic integration and sustainable development in the East Asian region. It was founded at the ASEAN+3 Summit in Singapore, with its headquarters in Jakarta, Indonesia, and operates as a think tank providing policy recommendations to governments and regional bodies. ERIA’s work focuses on trade, investment, energy, and innovation, building on the legacy of earlier regional cooperation frameworks like the East Asia Summit.

Institute of Malaysian and International Studies (IKMAS)

The Institute of Malaysian and International Studies (IKMAS) is a research institute at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), established in 1993 to promote interdisciplinary studies on Malaysia and its global relations. It focuses on analyzing political, economic, and social issues from a Malaysian perspective, contributing to policy debates and academic discourse. IKMAS has played a key role in fostering critical scholarship on national development and international affairs since its founding.

Asia Group Advisors

Asia Group Advisors is a strategic advisory firm focused on helping businesses navigate complex markets across Asia. Founded with deep expertise in government relations, market entry, and regulatory affairs, the firm leverages its network and local knowledge to support clients in sectors such as technology, finance, and energy. While not a traditional cultural or historical site, it represents the modern intersection of commerce and policy in the rapidly evolving Asian economic landscape.