Shangri-La Dialogue: Vietnam's To Lam warns of 3 crises converging in Asia-Pacific security
Speaking at Asia's premier defence forum in Singapore, Vietnam's To Lam warned that crises of international order, development models and strategic trust are converging to drive global instability. It was his first foreign-policy address to an international audience since his April election as president.
South China Morning Post · Jean IauDelivering the keynote at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, Vietnam's President To Lam struck a sober tone, warning that three foundational crises were converging to deepen global instability. According to South China Morning Post, To Lam highlighted a crisis of international order, mistrust over development models and an erosion of strategic trust. The speech was his first foreign-policy address to an international audience since his election as president in April and conveyed an important message about Vietnam's positioning at Asia's premier defence platform.
Addressing defence ministers, military chiefs and think-tank representatives, To Lam said Vietnam remained committed to its non-aligned foreign-policy tradition in a multipolar world. He underlined the importance of preserving ASEAN's central role and resolving South China Sea disputes through dialogue. To Lam also called for stronger international cooperation in supply-chain resilience, artificial intelligence governance and energy security.
In the period ahead, the outcomes of the Shangri-La Dialogue will help shape debates over the security architecture in the Asia-Pacific. Statements from Vietnam's foreign-affairs side indicate To Lam will pursue additional engagements during the planned ASEAN foreign ministers' meeting in June. This article is not investment or policy advice.
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