Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Bùi Thanh Sơn talks to the Vietnam News Agency about the significance of the 2018 WEF ASEAN to the country’s multilateral diplomacy strategy.

The World Economic Forum on ASEAN (WEF ASEAN) held on 11-13 September is a key priority in diplomacy and one of the largest and most significant international events to be held in Việt Nam this year. The forum will welcome dignitaries from ASEAN countries and beyond, leaders of nearly 1,000 leading ASEAN corporations and hundreds of foreign correspondents.

The success of WEF ASEAN, therefore, is of paramount importance to Việt Nam, which will further the country’s pursuit of enhanced multilateral diplomacy, contribute to building the foundations of the ASEAN Community and strengthen Việt Nam’s position in the region as well as on the global stage.

Việt Nam, WEF’s reliable partner

Since the beginning of Việt Nam-WEF co-operation in 1989, WEF has been an important organisation which greatly contributes to Việt Nam’s socio-economic development and international integration. Việt Nam values its ties with WEF and has been an active contributor of ideas to the international organisation, one of the world’s most prominent forums.

In 2010, as ASEAN Chair, Việt Nam successfully hosted WEF East Asia, which later became WEF ASEAN. In 2016, the first WEF on the Mekong Region, an initiative put forward by Việt Nam, was held in Hà Nội with the aim of connecting and promoting the region with the world’s leading businesses. Việt Nam continues to participate in WEF activities in the fields of agriculture, commerce, infrastructure and information technology to enhance cooperation with the world’s leading businesses, expand its markets and attract even more investment.

Việt Nam is the first and only country in Southeast Asia to enter a public-private partnership (PPP) with WEF. The partnership allows WEF to consult and support Việt Nam in improving the country’s competitiveness in the Fourth Industrial Revolution, which will be studied by WEF before the possible inclusion of the other countries in the region.

WEF ASEAN as a priority

The 2018 WEF ASEAN is taking place against a backdrop of robust development of the ASEAN Community, fast-changing global scene and profound impacts of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

The theme of this year’s event “ASEAN 4.0: Entrepreneurship and the Fourth Industrial Revolution” has received widespread support from world leaders, international partners and businesses, especially in ASEAN countries, because it highlights the region’s common priorities, global trends and furthers the common goal to forge a ‘Resilient and Innovative’ ASEAN.

As the host and a co-organiser, Việt Nam has advanced discussion on the Fourth Industrial Revolution as an important topic at the forum, as well as a number of concerns held by ASEAN countries, such as innovative start-ups, infrastructure and smart cities, labour and employment in the Fourth Industrial Revolution, human resource development and hi-tech agriculture.

WEF ASEAN is a reliable and trusted forum for leaders and the business community to review and evaluate the significance of the Fourth Industrial Revolution to ASEAN countries and the region, especially the impact on its businesses and citizens. Ideas shall be shared, directions and policies are proposed to awaken potential, innovation and energy to boost resilience and development of ASEAN countries and the ASEAN Community with a focus on ASEAN people.

WEF ASEAN 2018 attracts high-ranking leaders from both politics and business alike, with WEF’s founder and former president, as well as the incumbent president attending the event. It showcases the importance of this year’s theme: “ASEAN 4.0: Entrepreneurship and the Fourth Industrial Revolution” and how it resonates with the region’s and the world’s common goals. Việt Nam is to continue strengthening its role in ASEAN and the international community, especially after the success of APEC 2017.

WEF ASEAN 2018 expands and deepens ties between Việt Nam and countries in the region. High-level delegates are to make visits and hold talks with the country’s leaders to foster friendship and co-operation on regional and international issues.

WEF ASEAN 2018, with the participation of 1,000 business leaders from all over the world, presents an excellent opportunity for Việt Nam to promote its beautiful country and dynamic people, sending strong messages of the country’s resolve to pursue development and growth, build a constructive government, enhance the business environment, and encourage start-ups and innovation.

WEF ASEAN 2018 will organise activities that gather Vietnamese localities and businesses, such as an innovative start-up forum “ASEAN 4.0 for the People”, the Vietnam Business Summit and numerous promotional events in major cities across the country. The event is expected to connect Vietnamese localities and businesses with leading businesses with vast financial capacity and technical expertise, to foster technological transfer, expand Việt Nam’s exports and promote tourism.

WEF ASEAN 2018 serves as a forum for the exchange of new ideas, a place to understand global trends, especially in regards to the Fourth Industrial Revolution, to formulate plans for Việt Nam’s strategic socio-economic development and the growth of Vietnamese businesses.

WEF ASEAN 2018 is a cultural festival for ASEAN countries with the host’s effort to organise activities, which will be held for the first time, to promote ASEAN’s shared values of multi-culturalism, multi-ethnicity, solidarity and common goals.

With tremendous effort by the Government of Việt Nam and the support of international friends and partners, WEF ASEAN 2018 is bound to succeed and contribute to the country’s socio-economic development, its standing on the global stage; and to foster friendship, co-operation and prosperity in the ASEAN Community. — VNS