Over 1,000 international delegates to participate in WEF ASEAN 2018

PSNews - "All preparations of contents, reception, material facilities, security, cultural promotion have basically been completed, and Vietnam is ready for the World Economic Forum on ASEAN 2018 (WEF ASEAN), said Permanent Deputy Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son, Head of the Organizing Committee, at the international press conference about this event on September 6, in Hanoi.

  • WEF ASEAN among Vietnam’s largest diplomatic events in 2018: Deputy FM
  • Police forces ready to ensure absolute traffic safety and order for WEF ASEAN 2018
  • WEF brings investment opportunities for Vietnam
  • WEF ASEAN meets common concerns of regional countries and beyond

At the press conference, Permanent Deputy Minister Bui Thanh Son stated that as one of the biggest multilateral diplomatic event of Vietnam in 2018, the WEF ASEAN will take place from September 11-13, focusing on the theme “ASEAN 4.0: Entrepreneurship and the Fourth Industrial Revolution”. 

With about 60 working sessions, the event will welcome over 1,000 delegates who are leaders of ASEAN members, regional countries, international organizations, experts and CEO of international corporations. 

Permanent Deputy Minister Bui Thanh Son (right) and Director of the World Economic Forum for Asia-Pacific region Justin Wood. Photo: Tuan Anh.
Permanent Deputy Minister Bui Thanh Son (right) and Director of the World Economic Forum for Asia-Pacific region Justin Wood. Photo: Tuan Anh.

Deputy Minister Son also highlighted five main discussion topics during the event including: Defining a new ASEAN vision on regional integration; Seeking new business models and business management in digital age; Seeking driving forces and new business models for ASEAN states in Industry 4.0; Enterprises and new approaches to global, regional leadership; and Promoting infrastructure development, capacity training, job creation, startups, innovation in Industry 4.0.

By hosting the event, Vietnam expects to step up cooperation with partners, leading world enterprises, expand markets and attract high-quality investments and advanced technologies for the country’s economic restructuring and renovation of growth model, he added. 

He believed that with the good preparations of the host Vietnam, the close coordination with the World Economic Forum, the support of partners and the active participation of media and press agencies, WEF ASEAN 2018 will be successful and bring us fruitful results, contributing to strengthening the solidarity, unification and prosperity of ASEAN; promoting the beautiful image of Vietnam as well as accelerating innovation of businesses for further global integration.  

Co-chairing the press conference with Permanent Deputy Minister Bui Thanh Son, Director of the World Economic Forum (WEF) for Asia-Pacific region Justin Wood said that over the past eight years, Vietnam in collaboration with WEF held successfully two major events namely WEF on East Asia 2010 and WEF Mekong 2016. 

For this year’s edition, Mr. Justin Wood highly appreciated the efforts of Vietnam in each phase of preparation as the host. In particular, he expressed his delight as WEF ASEAN 2018 will welcome the participation of many high-ranking leaders in the region and the world.

Regarding this year’s theme, he emphasized that "ASEAN 4.0: Entrepreneurship and the Fourth Industrial Revolution" is a timely and practical topic, answering questions of common concern of ASEAN countries and many other countries in the world. This topic is also associated with ASEAN theme for 2018 “Resilient and Innovative. 

Earlier, WEF President Borge Brende spoke highly of Vietnam’s robust economic growth and competitiveness. He stressed that Industry 4.0 brings both opportunities and challenges to ASEAN nations and the WEF wants to foster partnership with ASEAN to tackle these challenges for the benefits of all nations in the region.

The WEF was established in 1971 as a non-profit foundation and headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland. The forum engages the foremost political, business and other leaders of society to shape global, regional and industry agendas.


By Linh Bui

Other News

A view of a container port in Singapore. (File photo: Xinhua/VNA)

Vietnam-Singapore trade cooperation gains fresh momentum

Analysts noted that Vietnam-Singapore ties are increasingly moving beyond traditional goods trade towards green growth, innovation and high-quality supply chains, laying a stronger foundation for more substantive and sustainable cooperation in the years ahead.

Vietnamese products make strong impression at Foodservice Australia 2026

Vietnamese products make strong impression at Foodservice Australia 2026

International visitors expressed positive impressions of Vietnamese products displayed at the fair. Nelma Sanjines, senior supervisor at ESP Catering in Sydney, praised the flavour of Vietnamese chilli sauce and soy sauce as well as the attractive packaging of confectionery products.

Digital technology helps standardise supply chains, sustain export competitiveness

Digital technology helps standardise supply chains, sustain export competitiveness

Experts noted that supply chain optimisation and risk management are no longer isolated tasks for individual companies but a requirement for the entire export ecosystem. With guidance from regulators, support from industry experts and their own efforts, Vietnamese exporters are expected to enhance their competitiveness and turn technical barriers and market volatility into opportunities for sustainable growth in global markets.

Vietnam seen as attractive investment destination for 2026–2035

Vietnam seen as attractive investment destination for 2026–2035

The article described Vietnam as strategically positioned along major regional maritime routes, including the East – West corridor linking the Americas, the Middle East, India and Europe, and the North – South corridor connecting China and Southeast Asia, helping make the country a gateway for international trade.

Eco-industrial parks seen as catalyst for higher-quality FDI

Eco-industrial parks seen as catalyst for higher-quality FDI

The eco-industrial park model will help Vietnam meet international environmental standards while creating opportunities to improve growth quality and economic competitiveness. Many multinational corporations now view green standards, emissions reduction and energy efficiency as key conditions when selecting investment destinations.

Promoting Vietnamese Brands at an International Food Fair in Gwangju

Promoting Vietnamese Brands at an International Food Fair in Gwangju

Alongside exhibition activities, trade promotion, and business networking programs, the “Gwangju Global Food Fair 2026” also witnessed the signing ceremony of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Vietnam–Korea Businessmen & Investment Association (VKBIA) and the Gwangju Tourism Organization of South Korea.

Hanoi proposes subsidies to accelerate shift to electric vehicles

Hanoi proposes subsidies to accelerate shift to electric vehicles

Under a draft resolution currently open for public feedback by the municipal People’s Committee, residents with permanent or temporary residence registration in Hanoi for at least two consecutive years, who own petrol-powered motorbikes registered before the resolution takes effect, will be eligible for support when purchasing electric motorbikes priced at 10 million VND or more.

Private economic sector poised for breakthrough growth

Private economic sector poised for breakthrough growth

More than a year after the Politburo's Resolution No. 68-NQ/TW on private sector development came into effect, expectations now extend beyond increasing the number of enterprises. The goal is to build a stronger business community with greater resilience, larger ambitions and the capacity to compete in global supply chains.

Vietnam remains ASEAN growth leader in 2026 despite global headwinds: WB

Vietnam remains ASEAN growth leader in 2026 despite global headwinds: WB

Vietnam is expected to remain one of ASEAN’s fastest-growing economies in 2026, supported by resilient exports, strong investment inflows and an ambitious reform agenda, despite mounting global uncertainties, according to the World Bank’s latest Vietnam Economic Update released on May 15.

Ministry establishes monitoring framework for carbon market

Ministry establishes monitoring framework for carbon market

Under a new circular, the exchange of greenhouse gas emission quotas and carbon credits is conducted on the domestic carbon credit exchange through the carbon trading system, which is interconnected with the national registration system.