The Vietnamese delegation attended the conference virtually
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On the morning of May 9, the 2nd ASEAN Economic Ministers’ Special Meeting on the Negotiations for the Upgrading of the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA) was held virtually, chaired by the Singaporean Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and Industry, with the participation of ASEAN Economic Ministers and the ASEAN Secretary-General. Vietnam’s delegation was led by Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien, along with representatives from the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Justice.
The meeting took place amid a dynamic and unpredictable global trading environment. Therefore, the ASEAN Economic Ministers shared the view that concluding the ATIGA upgrade negotiations would send a positive signal to businesses about ASEAN’s strong commitment to regional economic integration through trade barrier reduction, trade facilitation, and supply chain connectivity improvement. It also reaffirms ASEAN’s support for an open, transparent, and rules-based multilateral trading system.
At the meeting, the ASEAN Economic Ministers commended the efforts of the ATIGA Upgrade Negotiating Committee (TNC) and technical groups during the negotiation process. They acknowledged that, after 14 official negotiation sessions, ASEAN countries have completed nearly 98% of the negotiation agenda.
At the conference, the TNC Chair reported to the Ministers on outstanding issues in areas such as rules of origin, refurbished goods, transparency, further tariff liberalization, and the effectiveness of the upgraded ATIGA. Recommendations were also provided to address these issues. Based on the TNC Chair’s report, the Ministers provided necessary directions toward a flexible, practical, and mutually beneficial conclusion to the negotiations, reaffirming their commitment to finalizing and signing the upgraded ATIGA as per the agreed timeline.
 Vietnam’s delegation, led by Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien, attended the conference virtually.
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On Vietnam’s behalf, Minister Nguyen Hong Dien supported the early conclusion of the ATIGA upgrade negotiations and applauded the positive outcomes of the TNC and technical groups’ work. After sharing Vietnam’s perspective on the TNC Chair’s proposals and demonstrating maximum flexibility on outstanding issues to advance the negotiations, the Minister called on ASEAN countries to uphold the spirit of ASEAN solidarity and collaboratively resolve remaining differences based on balanced interests. This would ensure a feasible, effective, and sustainable upgraded ATIGA for all parties.
The meeting concluded successfully on the same morning, paving the way for subsequent negotiation rounds. The goal is to sign the Second Protocol to Upgrade ATIGA during the 47th ASEAN Summit, expected to take place in November 2025 in Malaysia.
– 11:30 09/05/2025
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