Phan Anh Sơn, Vice President and General Secretary of the Việt Nam Union of Friendship Organisations (VUFO), chairs over the ASEAN People’s Forum (APF) 2020. — VNA/VNS Photo Văn Điệp

HÀ NỘI — The ASEAN People’s Forum (APF) 2020 concluded on Saturday after three days of sitting with two plenary sessions and 24 workshops covering 11 different topics.

With the theme “Southeast Asian People’s Solidarity for an Inclusive, Cohesive and Responsive Community”, it offered an opportunity for participants to exchange information and experiences as well as strengthening solidarity.

It also helped improve connectivity between social movements and people’s organisations in ASEAN to respond to global challenges for the purpose of building a people-centred ASEAN Community.

The outcomes of the plenary sessions and themed workshops are included in reports of theme groups, which will be added to the APF Joint Statement 2020.

Addressing the closing ceremony, Phan Anh Sơn, Vice President and General Secretary of the Việt Nam Union of Friendship Organisations (VUFO), said that the forum was a success, manifesting the inclusive, cohesive and responsive spirit of Southeast Asian peoples.

Sơn, who is head of the national committee for APF 2020 organisation board, affirmed that Vietnamese people’s organisations will continue contributing to the forum as well as the strengthening of solidarity among the people of Southeast Asian nations.

APF is an annual event held on the sidelines of ASEAN Summit, which was initiated by Malaysia in 2005.

The forum creates an open space for the engagement of people’s organisations in the ASEAN, raising the voice of the people to leaders of ASEAN countries, building an ASEAN Community for the common interest of the people and for peace, development and equal and sustainable development in the region. — VNS