The information was released at a WEF ASEAN 2018 press conference co-chaired by Bui Thanh Son, Vietnamese Deputy Foreign Minister, and Justin Wood, head of the Asia-Pacific region of the WEF, in Hanoi on September 6. Besides, about 300 reporters from global and regional media outlets are expected to come to Vietnam to cover the event.
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Vietnamese Deputy Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son (R) and head of the Asia-Pacific region of the WEF Justin Wood co-chairing the press conference |
Speaking at the press conference, Deputy Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son, who is also head of the organizing board of the forum, said that it is scheduled to take place in Hanoi from September 11 to 13 under the theme of “ASEAN 4.0: Entrepreneurship in the Fourth Industrial Revolution.”
He added that the theme is practical and within the common concern of ASEAN member countries and the region as well as relevant to the bloc’s 2018 theme of “Resilient and Innovative ASEAN.”
According to the official, the forum, with around 60 discussions, will revolve a wide range of topics, including defining a new ASEAN vision for regional integration; new economic models and leadership in the digital age; and the development of smart infrastructure, jobs, startups, and innovation.
The Vietnamese diplomat added that under the direction of the Vietnamese Prime Minister, both venues and required infrastructure have been put in place, while reception, communications, security, and health service have been prepared well.
For his part, head of the Asia-Pacific region of the WEF Justin Wood highlighted that the significant number of participants reflects the event’s attractiveness.
He said Vietnam has so far been the first and the only country that the WEF has signed and implemented a public-private partnership (PPP) agreement. The two sides have worked closely together particularly in preparing for the WEF ASEAN 2018 over the past year. He also stressed that Vietnam has achieved tremendous development since the WEF on East Asia (the forerunner of WEF ASEAN) in 2010.
Translated by Song Anh