Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam is an important pillar in terms of politics, diplomacy, security, socio-economy, and culture, which contributes to making ASEAN stronger, more resilient and dynamic, said ASEAN Secretary-General Dr Kao Kim Hourn in a recent interview granted to the Vietnam News Agency (VNA).

The interview took place in Phnom Penh, Cambodia ahead of Vietnamese Communist Party General Secretary To Lam’s state visit to Indonesia and official visits to the ASEAN Secretariat and Singapore from March 9-13.

Stressing the importance of To Lam’s first official visit to the ASEAN Secretariat, Dr Kao described it as a historic milestone, coinciding with the 30th anniversary of Vietnam’s ASEAN membership (1995-2025), and emphasised that the visit will reinforce Vietnam’s central role in the bloc.

During the visit, To Lam is scheduled to deliver a policy speech to ASEAN Secretariat officials, ambassadors, permanent representatives from ASEAN member states, and representatives of ASEAN’s dialogue and development partners.

According to the ASEAN leader, the visit is of unprecedented importance, as Vietnam has always played a very proactive and positive role in the bloc, and made ASEAN one of the top priorities in its foreign policy.

The visit also comes at a pivotal time as ASEAN nears the final phase of its ASEAN Community Vision 2025 and prepares to launch the ASEAN Community Vision 2045 in May, he said, expressing his belief that To Lam’s visit would further enhance ASEAN’s image, credibility, and vision both regionally and globally.

Reflecting on Vietnam’s 30-year journey within ASEAN, Dr Kao praised the country’s efforts in promoting peace, stability, security, and prosperity in the region, and in strengthening ASEAN’s external relations.

He described Vietnam as a vital ASEAN member, with its development, transformation, and growth making significant contributions - across political, diplomatic, security, economic, cultural, and social fields — to strengthening the bloc’s resilience and dynamism.

Vietnam has helped elevate ASEAN’s global profile by supporting the bloc’s efforts to expand its influence in the region. With a population of around 100 million and an abundant workforce, Vietnam is an influential member of ASEAN, he affirmed.

As ASEAN moves towards adopting its 2045 Community Vision with four new strategic plans, Dr Kao highlighted Vietnam’s consistent and proactive contributions across various sectors. He expressed confidence that Vietnam, having made remarkable achievements over the past 30 years, would remain a key force in shaping a dynamic, creative, resilient, and people-centred ASEAN.

With ASEAN’s economy rising from the world’s ninth to fifth largest, the bloc aꦿims to reach the fourth place by 2030 — a goal that Dr Kao said will require strong engagement from all memb🌌er states, with Vietnam playing a crucial part./.