Deputy PM Bui Thanh Son (R) and head of the Asia-Pacific region of the WEF Justin Wood answer reporters' question at the press conference (Photo: VNA)Hanoi (VNA) – The World Economic Forum on ASEAN(WEF ASEAN) will receive more than 1,000 delegates, including high-rankinggovernment representatives and executives of regional and world-leadingcorporations.
The information was released at a WEF ASEAN press conferenceheld in Hanoi on September 6. In addition to the delegates, about 300 reportersfrom global and regional media outlets are expected to come covering the event.
Speaking at the press conference, Deputy Foreign MinisterBui Thanh Son, who is also head of the organising board of the forum, said thatit is scheduled to take place in Hanoi from September 11 to 13 under the themeof “ASEAN 4.0: Entrepreneurship in the Fourth Industrial Revolution”.
He added that the theme is relevant to the bloc’s 2018 themeof “Resilient and Innovative ASEAN”.
According to the official, the forum will revolve around arange of topics, including defining a new ASEAN vision for regionalintegration; new economic models and leadership in the digital ages; and thedevelopment of smart infrastructure, jobs, startups, and innovation.
The forum will feature an open forum on ASEAN 4.0 forpeople’s benefits, an opening ceremony of the plenary session on September 12,and 60 in-depth sessions and discussions.
On the sidelines, an innovative startup forum is scheduledfor September 11, a Vietnam cultural gala will take place on September 12, the VietnamBusiness Summit 2018 will start on September 13 as well as a two-day field tripto Quang Ninh province and its world-famous Ha Long bay starting September 13.
Most of these activities will take place at the VietnamNational Convention Center in Hanoi’s Nam Tu Liem district.
Son said that both venues and needed infrastructure havebeen put into place, while reception, communications, security, and health workshave been prepared well.
At the press conference, head of the Asia-Pacific region ofthe WEF Justin Wood highlighted that the significant number of participantsreflects the event’s attractiveness.
He said Vietnam is to date the first and only country thatthe WEF has signed and implemented a public-private partnership agreement. Thesides have worked closely together particularly in preparing for the WEF ASEAN2018 over the past year.
The WEF was established in 1971 as a non-profit foundationand 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, andVietnam. –VNA
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