Hanoi, June 10 -- Distinguished guests,

On behalf of the leaders of the Vietnamese Party and State, I warmly welcome you to Ha Noi to attend the third ASEAN Future Forum. I am very pleased that this year's Forum is attended by the Prime Ministers of Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, and Timor-Leste, leaders and representatives of ASEAN member states and dialogue partners, many international and regional organisations, scholars, and research institutes, demonstrating a shared interest in the future of the region and a wish to exchange views on the issues facing ASEAN in this new stage of development.

I wholeheartedly share and agree with many of your insightful opinions. ASEAN has entered its first year of implementing the ASEAN Community Vision...