On 10 June 2026, within the framework of the ASEAN Future Forum (AFF) 2026 in Ha Noi, H.E. Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hoang Long delivered the keynote remarks at Plenary Session 4 on the theme of “Enhancing Energy Security in a New Context.” The session brought together policymakers, experts, representatives of international organizations, research institutes, and the business community to discuss challenges and cooperation priorities in ASEAN’s energy sector.

In his keynote remarks, H.E. Deputy Minister Nguyen Hoang Long emphasized that energy security has evolved beyond a purely technical issue to become a strategic matter closely linked to economic stability, competitiveness, sustainable development, and resilience of individual countries as well as ASEAN as a whole.

According to H.E. Nguyen Hoang Long, geopolitical tensions, disruptions to global supply chains, the impacts of climate change, and the rapid pace of technological development are fundamentally reshaping the global energy landscape. In particular, recent tensions in the Middle East have demonstrated that global energy markets, especially oil and gas markets, remain vulnerable to geopolitical risks, leading to price volatility and potential supply disruptions.

Against this backdrop, he stressed the need to adopt a more comprehensive approach to energy security; maintain uninterrupted energy trade flows; strengthen forecasting, response, and recovery capacities in the face of shocks; and promote a fair, inclusive, and sustainable energy transition.

For ASEAN, H.E. Deputy Minister Nguyen Hoang Long underscored the importance of maintaining a balance among three key objectives: ensuring energy security, advancing the energy transition, and preserving affordability for people and businesses. This task is becoming increasingly urgent as the region continues to be one of the world’s most dynamic growth centres, with rapidly rising energy demand driven by industrialization, modernization, and digital transformation. He commended ASEAN’s existing energy cooperation frameworks, particularly the ASEAN Plan of Action for Energy Cooperation (APAEC) 2026–2030 and the ASEAN Petroleum Security Framework Agreement (APSA). In this regard, enhanced information sharing, risk monitoring, policy coordination, and mutual support in the event of supply disruptions would help ASEAN strengthen its resilience against unpredictable developments in international energy markets.

Highlighting the importance of regional connectivity, H.E. Deputy Minister noted that advancing the ASEAN Power Grid, expanding cross-border electricity trade, developing subregional interconnection projects, and strengthening gas and LNG infrastructure under the Trans-ASEAN Gas Pipeline initiative would contribute to building a flexible, interconnected regional energy market with stronger mutual support mechanisms.

To strengthen energy security in the years ahead, he proposed that ASEAN focus on five priority areas: enhancing the resilience of energy supply chains; diversifying energy sources and supply routes; promoting a just and inclusive energy transition; improving energy efficiency and demand-side management; and mobilizing greater financial resources, technology, and expertise from partners, international organizations, and the private sector to develop energy infrastructure and innovative energy solutions.

The keynote remarks attracted considerable interest from participants, helped guide discussions, and contributed to the success of Plenary Session 4, “Enhancing Energy Security in a New Context,” at the ASEAN Future Forum 2026.

On the sidelines of the Forum, H.E. Deputy Minister Nguyen Hoang Long held a brief meeting with Mr. Frederick Kliem, Director for Southeast Asia at The Economist and Adjunct Fellow at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS), Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore. During the meeting, H.E. Deputy Minister shared perspectives on Viet Nam’s economic outlook and opportunities for foreign investors in the country.

The ASEAN Future Forum 2026 (AFF), under the theme “Shaping Our Future Together: Peace, Prosperity and People-Centred Community,” is the first major high-level multilateral diplomatic event hosted by Viet Nam following the successful 14th National Party Congress, the election of the 16th National Assembly, and the completion of appointments to key leadership positions of the Party and the State. The Forum holds particular significance in the context of implementing Resolution No. 59 on international integration in the new era./.

Source: Compiled by the Multilateral Trade Policy Department, Ministry of Industry and Trade of Viet Nam