Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh (front, centre) at the 26th ASEAN Regional Forum in Bangkok on August 2 (Photo: VNA)

The forum is attended by foreign ministers of ASEAN and dialogue partners, along with representatives of observer countries. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh led the Vietnamese delegation to the event. In his opening speech, Thai Foreign Minister Pramudwinai emphasised that over the last 26 years since the first ARF was held also in Bangkok in 1994, the ARF has become one of the main and most inclusive forums to promote constructive dialogue and refer to opinions to create a unanimous approach so as to build confidence and trust and to resolve the political and security issues of shared concern in the Asia-Pacific region.

Mentioning the challenges facing the region, he said the ARF should not only maintain itself as a platform for straightforward and open discussion as well as substantive cooperation, but also consolidate the political will and enhance the capacity for collective actions to help prevent security incidents and contribute more effectively to the response to urgent challenges in the region.

At this year’s ARF, participants are set to exchange viewpoints on political and security issues in the Asia-Pacific region, along with future directions for the forum.