Prime Minister: 6 factors for ASEAN to succeed in the smart era

On the afternoon of January 22 (local time), within the framework of the World Economic Forum (WEF) Davos 2025 (Switzerland), Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh attended and spoke at the Discussion Session "ASEAN: Connecting to Reach Out" chaired by WEF President Borge Brende.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh attended and spoke at the Discussion Session "ASEAN: Connecting to Reach Out" chaired by WEF President Borge Brende - Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac

Joining Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh in the discussion were Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, Bangladesh Chief Adviser (Interim Prime Minister) Muhammad Yunus, UN Secretary-General's Special Envoy for Myanmar Julie Bishop and Mastercard Group President Merit Janow.

At the Discussion Session, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim shared three major priorities during his ASEAN Chairmanship 2025: Ensuring energy infrastructure for the region, especially green energy and alternative energy; Promoting connectivity within ASEAN, with special priority given to exploiting the strengths of artificial intelligence and Responding to climate change. The speakers all highly appreciated the role, position and development prospects of ASEAN. ASEAN not only affirms itself as a region full of economic vitality, one of the global growth engines, but is also facing the opportunity to pioneer the transformation into the smart era. ASEAN's special advantage is the spirit of creativity and entrepreneurship from the young generation, a "digital generation" expected to be the new growth engine of the region, helping ASEAN not to be satisfied with its current successes.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh said the "smart era" poses many huge challenges but it is an inevitable path - Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac

Sharing his view that the "smart era" poses many great challenges, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh said that ASEAN needs to enter the smart era with an ambitious mindset, ready to "think deeply and do big", using science and technology, innovation and digital transformation as new driving forces to create breakthroughs for the region's growth.

Sharing his vision for ASEAN in the future, the Prime Minister emphasized that in the smart era, a successful ASEAN needs to firmly ensure six factors: in terms of politics and security, it must be peaceful, stable, and war-free; in terms of economy, it must develop rapidly and sustainably; in terms of culture, it is necessary to promote unity in diversity, both developing ASEAN identity and preserving the identity of each member; in terms of environment, it is necessary to ensure sustainable exploitation and use, and protect the environment for future generations; in terms of society, it is necessary to ensure social progress and equity, inclusive development, and leaving no one behind.

To move forward in the smart era, the Prime Minister emphasized that Vietnam cannot develop at the usual average pace. The Prime Minister highlighted Vietnam's determination to develop science, technology, innovation and digitalization through three strategic priorities on institutions, infrastructure and human resources.

The Prime Minister called for cooperation and connection between ASEAN and the world, between Vietnam and ASEAN countries for mutual development - Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac

In terms of institutions, Vietnam has just issued Resolution 57 on breakthroughs in science, technology, innovation and national digital transformation, along with a number of laws and regulations to provide a legal and institutional framework to promote the national science, technology and innovation ecosystem.

In terms of infrastructure, Vietnam will develop information technology infrastructure, especially digital databases, as a core of growth. In terms of human resources, Vietnam will prepare a quality workforce, focusing on emerging industries such as green transformation and digitalization, digitalization, knowledge economy, focusing on areas where Vietnam has strengths, especially in mathematics and logical thinking.

The Prime Minister emphasized that in the smart era, a successful ASEAN needs to firmly ensure 6 factors - Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac

The Prime Minister called for cooperation and connection between ASEAN and the world, between Vietnam and ASEAN countries to develop together, move forward together to exploit the world's wisdom to serve the common development goal.

Regarding the Myanmar issue, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh expressed his firm belief that with solidarity and unity for its common goals, ASEAN will contribute to helping peace, stability and happiness soon return to the people of Myanmar.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh's frank sharing and profound comments on ASEAN's vision and strategy in the future received support and agreement from the speakers as well as many delegates.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, his wife and the Vietnamese delegation left Switzerland for Hanoi, successfully concluding the working trip - Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac

*This is the last activity of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh in his working program in Switzerland. After this activity, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, his wife and the Vietnamese delegation left Switzerland for Hanoi, successfully concluding the official visit to the Republic of Poland, the Czech Republic, attending the 55th Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland and bilateral work in Switzerland.

Source: https://thoibaonganhang.vn/thu-tuong-6-yeu-to-de-asean-thanh-cong-trong-ky-nguyen-thong-minh-160095.html