Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh attended a working lunch themed “A Future-ready ASEAN: Harnessing the Power of Emerging Technologies” on February 26 within the framework of the 2nd ASEAN Future Forum 2025.
The event also saw the presence of New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son, Lao Deputy Prime Minister Saleumxay Kommasith and Minister of Foreign Affairs Thongsavanh Phomvihane, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Timor-Leste; and representatives of leading global and Vietnamese technology corporations such as Intel, Nvidia, Google, MK, Huawei, Viettel, and Sovico.
Addressing the event, PM Chinh emphasised the importance of embracing new technologies, sharing that the development of science and technology is an objective requirement, a strategic choice, and a top priority of Vietnam.
He urged the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and each member country to have strong political determination, make significant efforts, and take decisive actions to seize new technological trends.
ASEAN needs to harmonise its institutions, connect the frameworks between countries, create an open institutional environment for businesses and citizens, and reduce compliance costs. At the same time, the bloc needs new technologies, high-quality human resources, the development of new technological infrastructure, and smart governance with the application of new technologies, as these technologies also have their drawbacks. Therefore, it requires support and cooperation from the global community, especially from major technology corporations, PM Chinh stressed.
Along with global support and cooperation, the Vietnamese leader highlighted the importance of engaging the State, businesses and people in these work. He urged businesses to take the lead in science and technology, innovation, and digital transformation so that ASEAN can stay ahead of emerging technologies.
At the session, New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon expressed his country's readiness to collaborate with ASEAN nations and businesses in various sectors such as AI, space industry, agriculture, clean energy, and climate change mitigation, highlighting New Zealand's potential and strengths in these areas.
Meanwhile, British Ambassador to Vietnam Iain Frew highlighted Vietnam's remarkable technological advancement and emphasised the UK’s willingness to cooperate with ASEAN countries, drawing on the UK’s rich history of scientific and technological innovation as well as financial expertise.
Other participants discussed various topics regarding public-private partnerships in emission reduction technologies; human resources training, particularly in the semiconductor sector during the technological era; the development of ASEAN’s AI ecosystem; progress towards unified digital identity standards across the bloc; investment in AI and semiconductor, and opportunities for ASEAN businesses; smart digital infrastructure development and recommendations for ASEAN; and digital solutions for sustainable development, among others.
The discussion painted a comprehensive picture of ASEAN’s opportunities and challenges in the new technological period, especially regarding infrastructure development, human resources, AI application and cloud computing, as well as the promotion of inclusive digital finance and clean energy transition. Notably, delegates presented substantive proposals and solutions based on real experiences and strategic visions, aiming at shaping up an innovative and sustainable ASEAN./.
