According to VNA, within the framework of the 55th World Economic Forum (WEF) in Switzerland, on the afternoon of January 22 local time, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh attended and spoke at the Discussion Session "ASEAN: Connecting to Reach Out" chaired by WEF President Borge Brende.
At the Discussion Session, 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 also faces 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.
Sharing as the fastest growing economy in ASEAN, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh said that the "smart era" poses many huge challenges but it is an inevitable path.
The Prime Minister emphasized that ASEAN needs to enter the smart era with an ambitious mindset, ready to "think deep 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 step firmly into the smart era, the Prime Minister emphasized that Vietnam cannot develop at the usual average speed.
The Prime Minister highlighted Vietnam's determination to develop science, technology, innovation and digitalization through three strategic priorities on institutions, infrastructure and human resources.
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.
Regarding 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 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 intelligence to serve the common development goal.
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.
This is the last activity of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh at the 55th WEF Conference.
On the same evening, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, his wife and the high-ranking Vietnamese delegation left Switzerland to return home, successfully concluding the official visit to Poland and the Czech Republic, attending the 55th WEF Conference and bilateral work in Switzerland.
