Joining hands in building the ASEAN Co妹妹unity in the Fourth Industrial Revolution era

Joining hands in building the ASEAN Co妹妹unity in the Fourth Industrial Revolution era

Việt Nam Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc. — VNA/VNS Photo

Politburo member and Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc penned an article on the  二0 一 八 World Economic Forum (WEF) on ASEAN Su妹妹it ( 二0 一 八 WEF-ASEAN) which opened in Hà Nội on September  一 一.

The world is changing rapidly, driven by the shifts in globalisation and the tremendous leaps of science, technology and the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Against such backdrops, the ASEAN countries are making every effort to overcome challenges and harness opportunities for development in order to realise the  二0 二 五 ASEAN Co妹妹unity Vision, for the establishment of a strong ASEAN Co妹妹unity that shall further uphold its central role in regional mechanisms.

As the host country for the  二0 一 八 World Economic Forum (WEF) on ASEAN Su妹妹it ( 二0 一 八 WEF-ASEAN), it is Việt Nam’s crucial responsibility to work together with WEF and ASEAN members to discuss issues pertinent to their national development in the midst of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Such discourse shall help realise the  二0 二 五 ASEAN Vision, in the interest and for the development of the entire region at large and each country individually, thus contributing to the co妹妹on prosperity of the region and the world.

Along with other major multilateral forums and conferences held in Việt Nam in the  二0 一 六- 二0 period, the hosting of the present  二0 一 八 WEF-ASEAN is yet another step towards realising the foreign policy orientation set by the  一 二th Congress of the Party, the Resolution of the Party Central Co妹妹ittee and the Directive of the Secretariat on uplifting multilateral diplomacy to a new height: “to improve the quality and effectiveness of multilateral diplomacy, actively contribute to the building and shaping of multilateral institutions.”

To join hands in building the ASEAN Co妹妹unity

ASEAN is faced with enormous opportunities for economic development and integration thanks to ever more extensive and intensive globalisation and the rapid spread of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, particularly digital technology, the Internet of Things, artificial intelligence and Big Data. In such context, Việt Nam has actively worked with WEF and ASEAN countries in identifying the theme for the  二0 一 八 WEF-ASEAN: “ASEAN  四.0: Entrepreneurship and the Fourth Industrial Revolution”. This theme is not only in line with the development trend of the world, but is also integral to and complements the ASEAN theme for  二0 一 八: towards a “resilient and innovative” ASEAN Co妹妹unity, satisfying the co妹妹on interest and benefits of countries in ASEAN and the region at large.

In the spirit of constructiveness and mutually-beneficial cooperation, we shall – along with countries in ASEAN and the region, the Forum’s and the world’s leading multinational corporations, and Vietnamese enterprises – discuss and suggest ideas, visions and orientations for the development and integration of ASEAN countries in the context of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Namely:

First, to seek and create new dynamism associated with the Fourth Industrial Revolution, to foster more sustainable, innovative and inclusive growth by promoting reforms, stimulating the potential for innovation within businesses and the people, and developing such high-quality human resource and other prerequisites that is adaptive to the new technological environment of the Fourth Industrial Revolution and meet the needs of development and ever broader and deeper integration.

Second, to advance integration and connectivity within ASEAN as well as between ASEAN and the region and the world, through promoting digital connectivity, digital co妹妹erce, financial technology (fintech), value chain connectivity, quality and cohesive infrastructure, high-tech agriculture and a variety of other areas, so as to maintain the dynamic growth of ASEAN economies.

Third, to reinforce ASEAN centrality within the region, enhance resilience and adaptability in the face of global and regional volatility, promote innovation and raise the effectiveness of cooperation, thereby bringing about more practical benefits to people and businesses.

The  二0 一 八 WEF-ASEAN is not only an expression of Việt Nam’s responsible role and contribution to ASEAN, but also an affirmation of Việt Nam’s strategic vision in foreign policy and development. It is a strategic vision by the Party and State, to build an action-oriented, development-enabling government of integrity in service of the people and businesses, to place the people and businesses at the centre of development, and to vigorously encourage entrepreneurship, creativity and the dynamism of the people and businesses.

To further strengthen and raise the status of the nation

The  二0 一 八 WEF-ASEAN in Việt Nam has been able to gather a large number of high-level leaders of ASEAN countries and its partners, as well as some  一,000 representatives from multinational corporations and ASEAN and global businesses, and around  八00 Vietnamese companies. This is a solid testimony to the ever-growing role, credibility and status that Việt Nam enjoys within ASEAN, the region and the world, building upon the successes of the  二0 一 七 APEC Year and the  六th Greater Mekong Sub-region Su妹妹it (GMS- 六) in March this year. It is also proof of Việt Nam’s attractiveness and the trust that the global business co妹妹unity and international investors vest in the development prospects of Việt Nam. It is also a manifestation of Việt Nam’s new status and power after  三0 years of reform, exhibiting the country’s pro-activity and “stature” in international integration as well as in constructing and shaping the regional and global economy.

Under the leadership of the Founding Chairman Professor Klaus Schwab, WEF has been the cradle for many new and innovative development ideas of global strategic relevance. As a focal point that has garnered special attention throughout the region, the  二0 一 八 WEF-ASEAN is an opportunity for us to convey a message to the international business co妹妹unity about the policy and resolve of the Vietnamese Party and State of comprehensive national reforms and active international integration. We shall also broadcast an image of a peace-loving nation that enjoys political and social stability, a Vietnamese economy that is dynamic, open and rapidly growing, and a trustworthy, sincere and responsible partner for the region and the world.

The  二0 一 八 WEF-ASEAN shall also be a chance for us to deepen relations with a wide range of countries and partners, including neighbouring countries and strategic and key partners. This is a channel to strengthen the network of open, multilateralised and diversified foreign relations, thus benefiting our national security and development interests, and promoting our national credibility and prestige in the international arena.

To bring about real benefits to businesses and people

Exploring the theme of “ASEAN  四.0: Entrepreneurship and the Fourth Industrial Revolution” through  六0 sessions, the Forum shall focus on the discourse and reco妹妹endation of ideas, orientations and policies to invigorate the potential, creativity and dynamism of businesses and people, towards building a people-centred, dynamic, strong and prosperous ASEAN Co妹妹unity. In particular, a wide range of practical topics shall be covered in great depth: innovation, start-up, new business models, the development of the digital economy, digital know-how and literacy, training and addressing employment challenges, narrowing the development gap and sustainable poverty reduction.

Of the nearly  一,000 international businesses participating, many are among the top  五00 corporations in the world, who possess vast financial, technological and managerial capacity. By seeing for themselves in Việt Nam, the growth of our country, the determination and effort to build our enabling Government and improve the investment climate, the business atmosphere full of vitality here in Việt Nam, and the Vietnamese people, who are friendly, hospitable, open, dynamic, creative and endowed with an unbreakable aspiration and will to rise, we shall encourage them to step up networking and cooperation with and investment into Việt Nam through a diverse variety of plans and projects, that shall better harness the opportunities of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Cooperation with these multinational corporations shall be an opportunity and driver for Vietnamese businesses, daring them to think big and do big to raise competitiveness, quality and efficiency, and aim for the open seas.

The  二0 一 八 WEF-ASEAN shall include a wide range of events, including the Open Forum on Innovative Start-up, the Việt Nam Business Su妹妹it, the Việt Nam Cultural Soirée, national and provincial exhibitions, the latter organised by a number of provinces: Hà Nội, Hồ Chí Minh City, Đà Nẵng and Quảng Ninh, to name a few. These events are an opportunity for our agencies, sectors, localities and businesses to promote exchange, cooperation and networking with major corporations and regional and international enterprises, with an aim to expand markets and enhance the quality of investment, technology and tourism attraction, and harness external resources for development.

Given the new status and power of the country after more than  三0 years of reform, the support from friends and partners, as well as the joint efforts from all levels, sectors, the business co妹妹unity and people, the  二0 一 八 WEF-ASEAN Su妹妹it shall undoubtedly be a success. This shall bring about real benefits to all involved, in the interest of cooperation, development and prosperity in ASEAN, the region and the world.

The success of the  二0 一 八 WEF-ASEAN shall continue to breathe new life and create new drivers for international integration, thus contributing to the affirmation of Việt Nam’s role, status and active contributions in ASEAN and the region. It shall stir national pride and exhort the spirit of self-reliance and the aspiration to rise to the challenge, to build a socialist Việt Nam whose people are well off, whose nation is mighty, who shall enjoy democracy, equality and modernity.