ASEM logo (Source: internet) Hanoi (VNA) - Economic leaders from Asia and Europe nations havegathered for the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) in Seoul, the Republic of Korea, todiscuss ways to cope with rising protectionism in trade and to cooperate in thenext industrial revolution.
Accordingto the RoK’s Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, the 7th ASEMeconomic ministers' meeting, which is being held on September 21-22, has seenthe attendance of economic ministers and senior officials from 51 nations.
The maintheme of this year's meeting is "Reconnecting Asia-Europe: InnovativePartnership for Inclusive Prosperity."
Themeeting is expected to provide an opportunity for Asia and Europe to discussways to promote trade and investment, as well as to come up with jointresponses to rising protectionism.
Trade hasbeen a major driver for economic growth in ASEM partners, the Ministry ofTrade, Industry and Energy said, noting ASEM's share of global trade increasedfrom 54 percent in 1995 to 64 percent in 2015.
The changingindustry landscape led by digitalization will also be on the meeting’s agenda,which requires joint cooperation in enhancing economic connectivity and digitalinfrastructure across borders.
Forsustainable and inclusive growth, the policymakers will touch on the fourthindustrial revolution and the new climate framework under the Paris Agreementaimed at reducing carbon emissions.
ASEM wasestablished in 1996 to boost ties between Asian and European countries. It nowcomposes 20 Asian and 31 European nations, as well as the Association ofSoutheast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the European Union.-VNA
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