International Scientific Conference “ASEAN Community One Year After Establishment”

Attendees at the workshop included, from government agencies: Ms. Tran Kim Chi - Head of Multilateral Affairs, Foreign Affairs Department, National Assembly Office; Mr. Nguyen Dang Trung, Deputy Director of ASEAN Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Dr. Le Kim Dung - Director of International Cooperation Department, Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs; from the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tran Khanh, Institute of Southeast Asian Studies; from KAS: Mr. Peeter Girke - Head of KAS Representative Office in Vietnam; and from the University of Social Sciences and Humanities: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Quang Minh - Rector of the University, along with lecturers, researchers and students of the Faculty of International Studies.

The ASEAN Community was officially established on December 31, 2015, with three pillars: the ASEAN Political-Security Community (APSC), the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC), and the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC). This historic act represents a significant opportunity for ASEAN to strengthen and elevate its community linkages, aiming for a more important position. The ASEAN Community contributes to bringing lasting peace, prosperity, and happiness to the people of the region. However, the completion of the ASEAN Community faces not only internal challenges but is also profoundly impacted by the changing international environment, especially the increasing involvement and strategic competition between major powers, primarily between China and the United States. In this context, the need to analyze and assess the advantages and disadvantages, strengths and weaknesses of the formation of the ASEAN Community is essential and urgent. The workshop "ASEAN Community One Year After Establishment" is an opportunity for scientists and researchers from both within and outside the country to discuss these issues, thereby offering practical suggestions and recommendations for the building and improvement of this Community.

Conference scene

Speaking at the conference, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Quang Minh (Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities) recalled two recent developments related to the ASEAN Community: (i) At the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting held on July 24, 2016 in Laos, ASEAN member states made commitments to ensuring peace, security, and prosperity in the region; (ii) On July 12, 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague issued a ruling on the sovereignty dispute in the South China Sea between the Philippines and China, rejecting China's "nine-dash line" claim. All these developments affect the security as well as the formation and development of the ASEAN Community. In addition, some external observers believe there is a large gap between the statements and actions of ASEAN member states; this requires leaders to narrow the gap between words and actions to capitalize on advantages and resolve difficulties.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Quang Minh (Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities) delivered the opening remarks at the conference.

Associate Professor Pham Quang Minh also emphasized that the formation of the ASEAN Community is only the starting point, not a process. To have a truly functioning community, ASEAN needs the political will of its leaders, the determination to fulfill its commitments, and the utmost efforts for the people of its member states. Associate Professor Pham Quang Minh also expressed his confidence in the students and trainees present at the seminar, who will be the future leaders of the ASEAN Community. He hoped they would continue to research and learn about the ASEAN Community to contribute to its development both within and outside the community.

On this occasion, Mr. Peter Girke also affirmed KAS's commitment to supporting and cooperating with the University of Social Sciences and Humanities in scientific research activities. Last year, from May 21st to 22nd, the KAS Institute successfully collaborated with the University to organize the international conference "ASEAN Community: Key to National and Regional Integration in Southeast Asia". In the near future, the two sides will continue to organize a conference on ASEAN connectivity in border areas. All these topics relate to pressing issues facing ASEAN today, especially the need for unity and cooperation.

Mr. Peter Girke (Head Representative of KAS in Vietnam) speaks at the workshop.

Following the opening ceremony, the workshop proceeded with two sessions:

• Session 1: “ASEAN Community in 2016: Opportunities and Challenges” included presentations on: “Persistent Hope and Anxiety”, “ASEAN Political-Security Community: Opportunities and Challenges Ahead”, “Challenges in Forming the ASEAN Economic Community”, and “The Impact of China and US Involvement on Strengthening and Elevating ASEAN Community Linkages”.
• Session 2: “Promoting Cooperation for the Development of the ASEAN Community” included presentations on: “ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC): Opportunities and Challenges in Achieving Set Goals”, “ASEAN at 50: Fading Multilateralism and Great Powers' Allure”, “Vietnam’s Priorities in Building the ASEAN Community”, and “The Role of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) in Promoting the Building of the ASEAN Community”.

PGS. TS Phạm Quang Minh cùng các đại biểu tham dự hội thảo chụp ảnh lưu niệm