ASEAN future forum to focus on peace, prosperity, and AI governance

The ASEAN Future Forum (AFF) 2026 is scheduled to open on June 9 in Hanoi, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced during an international press conference on May 26.

Themed “Shaping our Shared Future: Peace, Prosperity, and People-Centeredness,” the event is expected to witness the attendance of key leaders from the Party and State of Vietnam, along with high-level leaders from various ASEAN nations.

Plenary sessions on the first day will focus on ASEAN resilience and solidarity, the promotion of conflict prevention initiatives, and the application of AI within ASEAN.

The second day of the forum will feature plenary sessions on energy security and development models, as well as several thematic sessions before the closing ceremony in the afternoon.

According to Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Manh Cuong, the ASEAN Future Forum is an initiative of the Vietnamese Government, first announced at the 2023 ASEAN Summit. The forum was created to provide a framework for ASEAN leaders, partner countries, scholars, and international businesses to exchange ideas and propose initiatives that contribute to shaping ASEAN’s future, while simultaneously complementing the official ASEAN processes.

AFF 2026 takes place as ASEAN begins implementing the ASEAN Community Vision 2045 and strategic plans aimed at building a resilient, dynamic, innovative, and people-centered community.

The forum is expected to bring together senior Vietnamese leaders, heads of several ASEAN member states, and representatives from international organizations, research institutes, businesses, and local and international authorities.

Ahead of the main event, several kickoff activities will be held on June 8. these include a seminar between Southeast Asian political parties, the ASEAN City Leaders Meeting, a roundtable on the Mekong sub-region, the Southeast Asian Youth Roundtable, and a seminar on Artificial Intelligence (AI) governance.

Through AFF 2026, Vietnam aims to continue working alongside ASEAN members and partners to promote the construction of a peaceful, cohesive, prosperous, resilient, and innovative ASEAN Community that places people at its core.