Cambodian Minister for Public Works and Transport Sun Chanthol said traffic safety is a hot topic, not only in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) but also in the world.
In ASEAN, losses caused by road accidents account for 3 percent of total gross domestic product (GDP), putting burdens on the regional economies, he said.
Measures to reduce traffic casualties and increase road safety are needed, Chanthol noted, adding that education is key to raising public awareness about traffic safety.
The Cambodian minister stressed that ASEAN nations need to work together and devise an action plan to reduce road traffic accidents by half in 2020.
Meanwhile, Tan Le, Founder and CEO of Emotiv Inc, a technology company, said that the fourth Industrial Revolution will foster the utilization of artificial intelligence and smart technology in vehicles, which in turn will require research on people’s actions.
Participants at the event discussed difficulties in ensuring road traffic safety, including the diversity of vehicles and drivers’ behaviors.
The ASEAN Community is viewed as one of the most dynamic regions of Asia and the world. The ASEAN Economic Community has served as a foundation for the development of member countries and regional cooperation.
The WEF ASEAN 2018, themed “ASEAN 4.0: Entrepreneurship and the Fourth Industry Revolution”, attracts leaders of ASEAN countries and partner nations, over 1,000 delegates who are WEF members, and representatives of businesses from around the world.
The WEF was established in 1971 as a non-profit foundation and is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland. The forum engages political, business and other leaders to shape global, regional and industry agendas.
Founded in 1967, ASEAN groups together Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
Source: VNA