The 27th World Economic Forum on ASEAN took place from 11 to 13 September 2018 under the theme ASEAN 4.0: Entrepreneurship and the Fourth Industrial Revolution, with the objective of discussing issues ranging from the region’s geopolitical friction points to entrepreneurship and employment in the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

 

 

A record number of regional heads of state or government participated in this World Economic Forum on ASEAN. In all, more than 800 leaders from business, government, civil society and media joined these heads of state and senior ministers. There were President Rodrigo Roa Duterte of the Philippines; newly elected Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir bin Mohamad of Malaysia, meeting his regional peers for the first time on the international stage, and Aung San Suu Kyi, State Counsellor of Myanmar, participating for the first time since the meeting took place in her home country in 2013. In addition, there were leaders of 100 early-stage start-ups, whose companies represent the dynamic nature of entrepreneurial spirit of ASEAN.

“We are honored to be welcoming this record delegation of regional government leaders,” said Justin Wood, Head of Asia Pacific and Member of the Executive Committee at the World Economic Forum. “The ASEAN region is currently one of the world’s bright spots for economic growth, and their presence shows the commitment they have to ensure this remains the case as the Fourth Industrial Revolution expands in economic scope and impact, and the geopolitical environment around them changes rapidly.”

 

 

Issues discussed at the meeting include Asia’s New Balance of Power, Factory Asia’s Next Frontier, the Future of Jobs in ASEAN, Asia Economic Outlook, Accelerating the ASEAN Economic Community, ASEAN Pluralism and Designing Cities 4.0. Topics surrounding the Fourth Industrial Revolution, including emerging technologies like autonomous vehicles, blockchain, drones and fintech, will be highlighted. The meeting will also include workplace sessions on topics such as Sexual Harassment at Work, and Workplace 4.0.

The conference included 55 discussion sessions, focusing on governments, enterprises and the people of ASEAN, such as the definition of new vision for ASEAN’s regional integration, seeking new economic and governance models in the digital era as well new driving forces and business models for ASEAN countries in the digital era, the development of smart infrastructure, and training in skills, jobs, startups and innovation.

This forum offered a platform for government leaders and businesses to discuss and share visions, ideas, and policy orientations on the region’s big issues and boost cooperation between Vietnam and its partners and leading global corporations enhancing their investment in Vietnam, contributing actively to market openness and competitiveness in quality capital and modern technology to serve the economy’s restructuring and innovation of its growth model.