Geneva (VNA) - Vietnam expects to welcome more than 800 leaders of governments, global leading groups, civilsociety organisations and media to the World Economic Forum (WEF) on ASEAN slatedfor this September in Hanoi.
The forum will take place on September 11-13 underthe theme ASEAN 4.0: Entrepreneurship and the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
A record number of regional heads of state or government will participate in theevent, said the WEF’s press release.
In all, eight ASEAN countries will be represented by their prime minister,president or state counsellor.
Among the registered heads of state or government are President Rodrigo Duterteof the Philippines; Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir bin Mohamad of Malaysia, andAung San Suu Kyi, State Counsellor of Myanmar, it said.
Justin Wood, Head of Asia Pacific and Member of the Executive Committee at theWorld Economic Forum, said "the ASEAN region is currently one of the world’sbright spots for economic growth, and their presence shows the commitment theyhave to ensure this remains the case as the Fourth Industrial Revolutionexpands in economic scope and impact, and the geopolitical environment aroundthem changes rapidly".
Participants will discuss issues ranging from the region’sgeopolitical friction points to entrepreneurship and employment in the FourthIndustrial Revolution. They will do so with the help of leaders of 100early-stage start-ups, whose companies represent the dynamic nature ofentrepreneurial spirit of ASEAN.
Issues to be discussed at the forum includeAsia’s New Balance of Power, Factory Asia’s Next Frontier, the Future of Jobsin ASEAN, Asia Economic Outlook, Accelerating the ASEAN Economic Community,ASEAN Pluralism and Designing Cities 4.0. Topics surrounding the FourthIndustrial Revolution, including emerging technologies like autonomousvehicles, blockchain, drones and fintech, will be highlighted. The meeting willalso include workplace sessions on topics such as Sexual Harassment at Work,and Workplace 4.0.
Vietnam’s Acting Minister of Information and CommunicationsNguyen Manh Hung is expected to be one of those who will preside overdiscussion sessions at the forum.-VNA
VNA