[BOOK INTRODUCTION] Cohesion and Proactive Adaptation: ASEAN's Vision and Prospects Post-2025 (Monograph)

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) was established on August 8, 1967, with five members, and subsequently developed into a comprehensive and close cooperation organization, now encompassing all 10 nations in Southeast Asia. After five decades of formation and development, based on its achievements and the desire to create a favorable, cohesive environment across the political-security, economic, and socio-cultural spheres for its member states, the ASEAN Community was officially established on December 31, 2015. This establishment is the result of dedicated cooperation and reflects ASEAN's relatively tight internal linkage. Although the quality of the ASEAN Community is still at a certain level due to significant differences in political regimes and development levels among member countries, ASEAN is currently considered one of the most successful regional cooperation organizations in the world, holding a crucial role in the region; it is the leading factor in ensuring peace, stability, cooperation, and development in Southeast Asia.

However, the regional and global context continues to undergo rapid and complex changes, posing significant challenges and new demands for ASEAN. Therefore, ASEAN needs to continue demonstrating its central role, acting as a driving force for dialogue and confidence-building processes for peace, security, and stability in the region. It must also respond more proactively and effectively to the posed challenges and contribute more positively to efforts to ensure peace and development within the international community. ASEAN also needs to ensure an inclusive approach, with equitable and sustainable development, greater participation and benefit for its citizens, and delivering more practical benefits to the people.

2025 marks the conclusion of the implementation of the ASEAN Community Vision 2025. Therefore, it is essential to evaluate the process of the ASEAN Community's formation and development since its establishment, assessing both the advantages and the difficulties and challenges that ASEAN has faced. Simultaneously, it is necessary to identify and forecast ASEAN's future development trajectory, thereby proposing orientations and solutions to enhance ASEAN's operational effectiveness post-2025. This is the main content of the book "Cohesion and Proactive Adaptation: ASEAN's Vision and Prospects Post-2025," edited by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dang Cam Tu. The book is a highly valuable reference source. In addition to the above content, the author also provides evaluations of Vietnam's process of participation in ASEAN and offers recommendations to enhance Vietnam's position and role within the ASEAN Community after 2025.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dang Cam Tu is the Deputy Director of the Institute for Foreign and Strategic Studies, Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam.