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WEF on ASEAN 2018 draws record number of delegates

VGP - A record number of regional heads of state or government and business representatives will participate in the World Economic Forum on ASEAN in Ha Noi from September 11-13.

September 06, 2018 8:10 PM GMT+7

Permanent Deputy Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son (R) and  Head of Asia Pacific and Member of the Executive Committee at the World Economic Forum Justin Wood (L) co-chair a press conference in Ha Noi on September 6, 2018 to announce the World Economic Forum on ASEAN 2018. Photo: VGP

How VN has changed since hosting WEF on East Asia in 2010

Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, Justin Wood, Head of Asia Pacific and Member of the Executive Committee at the World Economic Forum said seven heads of state or government have confirmed to join the event themed “ASEAN 4.0: Entrepreneurship and the Fourth Industrial Revolution.”

Among the registered heads of state or government are President Rodrigo Roa Duterte of the Philippines and newly elected PM Tun Dr Mahathir bin Mohamad of Malaysia.

The ASEAN region is currently one of the world’s bright spots for economic growth, and their presence shows the commitment they have to ensure this remains the case as the Fourth Industrial Revolution expands in economic scope and impact, and the geopolitical environment around them changes rapidly, according to Justin Wood.

In 2010, Viet Nam hosted the World Economic Forum on East Asia for the first time and over the past eight years, Viet Nam has obtained remarkable economic achievements, including the GDP per capita rising from US$ 1,160 in 2010 to 2,385 in 2017.

The World Economic Forum on ASEAN 2018 is one of the biggest diplomatic events in 2018, said Permanent Deputy Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son.

It provides platform for government and business leaders to discuss and share policy ideas and initiatives for the region’s key issues, especially in the face of the 4th industrial revolution.

Son said the agenda will focus on: (i) defining new ASEAN vision on regional integration, (ii) seeking new business models and business governance in digital age, (iii) seeking new driving forces and business models for ASEAN states in industry 4.0, (iv) enterprises and new approaches to global and regional leadership, (v) and smart infrastructure development, capacity training, startups, innovations in industry 4.0./.

By Hai Minh