Vietnam ratifies ASEAN petroleum security pact ahead of Manila summit
ASEAN leaders are also expected to sign a digital economy agreement and consider a regional fuel reserve, Vietnam’s envoy said.
Vietnam has completed ratification of the ASEAN Petroleum Security Agreement, Ambassador Ton Thi Ngoc Huong said ahead of the bloc’s 49th summit in Manila. ASEAN aims to finish the ratification process before the gathering, while discussions are expected on a possible regional fuel reserve.
Huong, Vietnam’s Permanent Representative to ASEAN, told the Vietnam News Agency that Vietnam’s early ratification would help bring the agreement into force and improve responses to supply disruptions. She also highlighted the country’s involvement in developing the ASEAN Power Grid.
Another expected summit outcome is the signing of the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement. Huong described it as ASEAN’s first binding legal pact setting shared standards for digital commerce, data transfers across borders, electronic payments, cybersecurity and new technologies, including artificial intelligence.
The agreement is expected to broaden businesses’ access to markets, especially for smaller firms, and help ASEAN double the size of its digital economy to around US$2 trillion by 2030, she said. Leaders are also expected to discuss diversifying the ASEAN Plus Three Emergency Rice Reserve.
Huong said Vietnam had backed the Philippines’ priorities as ASEAN chair in 2026 and submitted proposals on regional cohesion, resilience and connectivity. She described Prime Minister Le Minh Hung’s summit attendance as evidence of Vietnam’s continued commitment to the bloc.
