Hanoi: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim will undertake a working visit to Vietnam where he will also deliver a keynote address at the 2nd ASEAN Future Forum on Wednesday. Malaysian Ambassador to Vietnam Datuk Tan Yang Thai said that as ASEAN Chairman this year, the Prime Minister’s keynote address will, among other things, emphasise efforts to strengthen the regional grouping in dealing with several important issues at the moment.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Tan stated that the Prime Minister’s keynote address will generally focus on efforts to strengthen ASEAN in the face of great power pressure, enhance ASEAN’s digital economy agenda, drive green initiatives, and prioritise sustainable development to secure the future of ASEAN member states. Tan emphasized the importance of Malaysia promoting and defending its objectives and priorities, ensuring that its stance and opinions are highlighted in discussions regarding the regional grouping’s future.
Apart from the keynote address, Anwar is scheduled to participate in panel discussions with his counterparts Pham Minh Chinh of Vietnam and Christopher Luxon of New Zealand, as well as with Timor Leste President Jose Ramos-Horta, at the forum. Anwar is expected to arrive at Noi Bai International Airport tomorrow night on a special plane to begin his working visit to Vietnam. This will be his second visit to Vietnam since assuming office in 2022.
The Prime Minister will be accompanied by Deputy Minister of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Datuk Seri R. Ramanan, Foreign Ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Amran Mohamed Zin, Kuala Kangsar Member of Parliament Datuk Iskandar Dzulkarnain Abdul Khalid, and Sri Gading Member of Parliament Aminolhuda Hassan. During the visit, Anwar is scheduled to pay a courtesy call on key Vietnamese leaders and hold bilateral meetings with several leaders of ASEAN member states participating in the forum.
Tan mentioned that Anwar is also scheduled to pay a courtesy call on Vietnamese President Luong Cuong and Secretary-General of the Communist Party of Vietnam To Lam. The meeting with To Lam is a follow-up to the historic meeting between the two leaders in Malaysia in November last year, during which Malaysia and Vietnam relations were upgraded to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, the highest level in Vietnam’s diplomatic hierarchy.
The discussions between the two leaders are expected to focus on the development and progress of Malaysia-Vietnam relations, particularly in key sectors of mutual interest such as trade and investment, defence, the halal industry, connectivity, and tourism. Various regional and global issues of interest will also be discussed.
Tan also highlighted the significance of the ASEAN Future Forum in maintaining Malaysia’s visibility as ASEAN Chairman. The event provides an opportunity for the Prime Minister to set the narrative and priority issues for Malaysia ahead of the ASEAN Summit. This year marks the 30th anniversary of Vietnam in ASEAN, and the Prime Minister’s participation in the event organized by Vietnam not only strengthens bilateral relations between the two countries but also underlines the closeness and unity between ASEAN member states.