Myanmar people's forum underway in Yangon

A total of 150 delegates from different walks of life are attending a People's Forum in Myanmar which opened on Dec. 28.
A total of 150 delegates from different walks of life are attending aPeople's Forum in Myanmar which opened on Dec. 28.

The event is held in preparation for hosting the ASE AN People'sForum as Myanmar will serve as chair of the Association of SoutheastAsian Nations ( ASE AN) in 2014.

The three-dayforum aims to ensure mutual understanding and cooperation amongdifferent sectors in society and to share information and experiences inorder for the country to overcome challenges and continue itsdevelopment.

The forum also aims to raise publicawareness and seek ways and means to implement suggestions andprocedures laid down at last year's ASEAN People's Forum.

The annual ASEAN People's Forum is aimed mainly to promote the roleof the people and listen to their voices for the emergence of apeople-centred ASEAN. The 10-member bloc is striving towardsestablishing the ASEAN Community by the end of 2015.

The resolutions that come out from the ASEAN People's Forum are to be submitted to the ASEAN summit.

During Myanmar's one-year term of the ASEAN chair, the country will host more than 240 regional meetings.-VNA

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