Asia-Africa International Forum 2025: Joining hands to adapt to global challenges

(Chinhphu.vn) - On September 9, in Hanoi, the Institute of South Asian, West Asian and African Studies (under the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences) organized the first Asia-Africa International Forum (AAIF 2025) with the theme "Adapting to global challenges in the new context".

Delegates attending the Asia-Africa International Forum 2025 - Photo: VGP/Thu Giang

This is an important academic initiative to promote dialogue, share experiences and seek multilateral cooperation solutions among Asian and African countries, as well as with the international community.

Speaking at the Forum, Associate Professor Dr. Ta Minh Tuan, Vice President of the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences, emphasized that the world is entering the second decade of the 21st century with many fluctuations. From climate change, energy security, food security, to global health crises, geopolitical competition and trade - all are increasing uncertainty.

In particular, Asia and Africa, which are highly vulnerable, are being severely impacted by climate change, desertification, food crises, pandemics, security instability and the digital divide. However, in this challenging context, the two continents have also emerged as new drivers of global growth thanks to their young populations, abundant resources and growing intra-regional demand.

Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Xuan Trung, Director of the Institute of South Asian, West Asian and African Studies, emphasized that the Forum took place on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the Bandung Conference (1955) - an event that marked the formation of the spirit of Asian-African solidarity and affirmed the position of developing countries in the international order after the Cold War. After 7 decades, many Asian and African countries have achieved remarkable achievements, but still face complex challenges in the volatile international environment.

Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Xuan Trung said: "The central issue now is that Asian and African countries need to determine how to both adapt to the new global context and proactively contribute to shaping a fair, inclusive and sustainable international order."

According to him, inclusive multilateralism and Southern Hemisphere cooperation become strategic methods to help developing countries maintain autonomy and improve their response capacity.

Meanwhile, the position and potential of Asia and Africa have many similarities. Asia is currently the leading growth engine, accounting for more than 40% of global GDP. Africa is the youngest continent, rich in resource and market potential, with rapid urbanization and digital transformation. Both regions play a key role in maritime routes, supply chains and global economic and security order...

The forum gathered many international scholars and experts, including: Dr. Diana Sfetlana Stoica (Ubuntu Center for African Studies, Romania); Prof. Tomoomi Mori (Setsunan University, Japan); Dr. Philani Mthembu (Executive Director of the Institute for Global Dialogue, South Africa); Prof. Alvin Ang (Centre for Strategic and Policy Studies, Brunei)...

The presentations focused on identifying prominent challenges in the two continents, from climate change, health security to traditional and non-traditional security instabilities, while analyzing the potential for cooperation and sharing experiences to enhance national resilience.

The roundtable discussion, moderated by Associate Professor Dr. Dinh Cong Hoang, Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences, had the participation of Ambassadors of India, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, UAE to Vietnam, former President of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations Nguyen Phuong Nga and many experts and scholars.

Opinions are unanimous that it is necessary to promote economic connectivity, effectively exploit trade agreements such as AfCFTA in Africa and RCEP in Asia; build an Asia-Africa trade corridor, both in terms of physical and digital infrastructure; and promote cooperation in science and technology, education and multilateral institutional reform to ensure the voice of developing countries.

Some delegates emphasized the need to institutionalize the Asia-Africa Forum into an annual mechanism, with a Secretariat and specialized working groups, to turn political statements into concrete actions.

Vietnam always attaches importance to and strives to promote cooperation with Asian and African countries.

Vietnam is considered an active bridge in Asia-Africa relations. Currently, our country has established diplomatic relations with all 55 African countries and the African Union (AU) and has become an observer of the African Union (AU).

Since the mid-1990s, Vietnam has cooperated with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and Africa under the South-South cooperation model and tripartite cooperation to transfer agricultural development and poverty reduction techniques to Africa (Senegal, Mozambique, South Sudan, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Mali, Namibia, the Republic of Guinea, Benin, the Republic of Congo...). In particular, the tripartite cooperation model of Vietnam - FAO - Senegal is considered a typical model.

Besides, Vietnam also actively participates in the United Nations peacekeeping force in South Sudan, Central African Republic, and Abyei.

Vietnam is ready to share its experience in agricultural development, poverty reduction, digital transformation and international integration with Asian and African friends. This is a testament to the spirit of cooperation, responsibility and contribution to the common development of humanity.

The Asia-Africa International Forum 2025 is not only an academic space, but also promotes a strategic cooperation mechanism, helping the two continents improve their resilience to global challenges.

With its young population, rich resources and strong aspirations for development, Asia and Africa have great potential to become a major engine of global growth and innovation. It is important to turn this potential into reality through close, innovative and inclusive cooperation.

Thu Giang

Source: https://baochinhphu.vn/dien-dan-quoc-te-a-phi-2025-chung-tay-thich-ung-truoc-thach-thuc-toan-cau-102250909170154296.htm