Scheduled to take place in Hanoi on June 9–10, the third ASEAN Future Forum (AFF) will reaffirm its role as a dialogue platform focused on the future of the region, an initiative launched by Vietnam. Under the theme “Shaping a Shared Future: Peace, Prosperity and People at the Centre,” AFF 2026 is expected to go beyond immediate challenges and reflect ASEAN’s efforts to adapt to the profound changes unfolding across the region and the world.
AFF has emerged as a dynamic and innovative forum that complements ASEAN’s existing mechanisms. Through open and substantive discussions, Vietnam hopes to help identify and promote practical solutions, thereby contributing to ASEAN’s long-term resilience and sustainable development.
According to the agenda updated by the organizers, the first day of AFF 2026 will focus on several issues that are considered top priorities today, including strengthening resilience and unity in a changing world.
In recent years, ASEAN has been regarded as one of the most successful regional models in the world. However, recent geopolitical developments have placed increasing pressure on ASEAN’s cohesion, as member states face calls to “choose sides,” a trend that runs counter to ASEAN’s long-standing tradition of balance and its central role in the regional architecture.
Delegates attending the first plenary session will discuss ways to enhance the resilience of ASEAN member states, ASEAN institutions, and the regional architecture as a whole. They will also explore how to maintain solidarity and further strengthen ASEAN’s centrality in an increasingly volatile world.
The second plenary session will focus on advancing ASEAN initiatives on conflict prevention, another issue of significant importance.
Rather than merely responding to crises as they emerge, ASEAN is gradually shifting toward a more proactive, flexible and dynamic approach, with an emphasis on strengthening early-warning capabilities, confidence-building measures and preventive diplomacy. The session will discuss cooperation initiatives between ASEAN and its partners aimed at enhancing the region’s capacity to maintain peace, stability and security.
According to experts, one of the topics expected to attract considerable attention at AFF 2026 is artificial intelligence (AI). Across Southeast Asia, AI is being increasingly applied in areas ranging from finance and healthcare to agriculture, education, public administration and supply chains. However, many countries in the region continue to face major challenges in terms of technological access, infrastructure quality and the availability of skilled human resources for AI development.
As a result, the third plenary session will focus on promoting AI adoption across ASEAN in a way that leaves no one behind. Discussions are expected to address how ASEAN can maximize the benefits of AI while ensuring that all people in the region can benefit from technological advances. Delegates will also discuss solutions to bridge the digital divide, strengthen digital human resources, and propose sustainable AI development strategies that place people at the center.
Moving into the second day of the forum, discussions will focus on the region’s long-term development challenges.
The fourth plenary session, on strengthening energy security in the new context, comes as ASEAN countries are expected to remain among the fastest-growing economies in the world over the coming decade. Alongside the need to ensure stable energy supplies at affordable prices, countries must also address the challenges of energy transition, emissions reduction and environmental protection.
The fifth plenary session will examine development models in the context of global transformation. Traditional growth models based on exports and the exploitation of low-cost labor have helped many economies achieve remarkable progress. However, rapid changes in technology, demographics and global dynamics are prompting a reassessment of these development foundations.
Identifying appropriate development models is not only a challenge for individual countries but also requires greater regional cooperation. Regional integration, digital transformation, innovation and enhanced resilience are expected to play increasingly important roles in the coming years, while reaffirming ASEAN’s centrality and laying the groundwork for inclusive and sustainable long-term growth.
