Professor Vu Minh Khuong of the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy and Dr Mohamed Effendy Bin Abdul Hamid, senior lecturer in Southeast Asian studies at the National University of Singapore commented on the keynote address delivered by Party General Secretary and State President To Lam at the 23rd Shangri-La Dialogue on Friday evening.
According to Professor Khuong, the key note address was highly anticipated and warmly received by international delegates. He noted that Vietnam remains firmly committed to a policy of peace, cooperation and prosperity, while promoting a shared vision for the future. Vietnam is increasingly viewed as a notable model of a balanced approach to international relations.
Dr. Abdul Hamid said the international community applauds Vietnam’s consistency and reliability in implementing its foreign policy. Through the messages delivered by Party General Secretary and State President To Lam at this year’s Shangri-La Dialogue, the world has gained a clearer understanding of Vietnam’s vision for regional and global affairs and has placed growing expectations on the country’s future role.
ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn said the speech conveyed a clear political message that all nations must work together to address the challenges and crises facing the world today. A focus is overcoming the crisis of strategic trust and restoring confidence in the international order, while strengthening ASEAN’s centrality.
“I think it's important for us to continue to address the strategic trust crisis on the one hand, but of course also the crisis of international order, as you mentioned, also is very, very important. But what I like the most, of course, is the role of ASEAN that His Excellency emphasized. So I think he's one of the greatest leaders of ASEAN in that respect. And I think the role of Vietnam is indispensable in regard to contribute to peace, stability, and security in our region.”
Bastian Giegerich, Director-General and Chief Executive of the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), said Vietnam is emerging as an increasingly influential strategic actor. As a result, the international community is paying close attention to and is keen to understand how Vietnam works with its partners to promote stability, security, and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region and around the world.
