On November 14, information from the Ministry of Justice said that in Manila (Philippines), the 13th ASEAN Judicial Ministers' Meeting (ALAWMM 13.) officially opened.
The interdisciplinary working group of the Vietnamese Ministry of Justice led by Minister Nguyen Hai Ninh attended the Conference. ALAWMM 13 was attended by the Ministers of Justice/Geral Chiefs of 11 ASEAN member countries and the ASEAN Secretary General.
At the plenary session of the Conference, Minister of Justice of Vietnam Nguyen Hai Ninh delivered a speech.
In particular, Minister Nguyen Hai Ninh affirmed that in the context of many complex changes in the world and the region, maintaining and promoting ASEAN's central role, building a self-reliant, dynamic, creative ASEAN Community, with people as the center is a common goal of all member countries.
To realize the ASEAN Community Vision 2045, Minister Nguyen Hai Ninh proposed three priority orientations for legal and judicial cooperation in the coming time:
1. Strengthen the role of legal and judicial cooperation in strengthening solidarity, unity and improving ASEAN's institutional efficiency;
2. Build a solid legal foundation to promote internal linkages, support socio-economic development;
3. Bringing legal and judicial cooperation into an institutional support for innovation, digital transformation and the application of artificial intelligence (AI).
The Minister also informed that Vietnam plans to host the ASEAN Law Forum in 2026 with the theme " application of artificial intelligence in law-making and enforcement in the digital age".
On the occasion of the 30th anniversary of Vietnam's admission to ASEAN (1995-2025), Minister Nguyen Hai Ninh affirmed that Vietnam will continue to be an active and responsible member, closely coordinating with member countries to strengthen legal and judicial cooperation, effectively implement the ASEAN Community Vision 2045, towards a peaceful, stable, cooperative and prosperous area.
Within the framework of ALAWMM 13, representatives of ASEAN countries have officially signed the ASEAN Agreement on transit between 11 member countries. After more than 4 years of negotiations (from 2021 to present, through 14 meetings), the Agreement has been completed and signed, becoming a highlight in the 40-year journey of ASEAN legal and judicial cooperation, and marking an important step forward in strengthening intra-bloc legal cooperation.
The agreement creates a unified legal basis for criminal extradition between ASEAN countries, a clear demonstration of the region's strong commitment to improving the effectiveness of the fight against transnational crimes, promoting the ensuring of rule of law and justice, thereby maintaining peace and stability in the region.
Representative of Vietnam, General Luong Tam Quang - Politburo member, Minister of Public Security, on behalf of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam (SAV) signed this important document.
The Ministry of Justice said that the 13th ASEAN Justice Ministers' Conference will continue working sessions on November 15 with many important contents on legal and judicial cooperation.
