The focus of discussion will be on issues of common concern to ASEAN people such as ethnic minority people; gender and development; women’s rights, vulnerable labour groups; people with disabilities; peace and security; information and technology and the press; HIV/AIDS; maternal health and childcare; the environment, food security and State-social organization relations. 

From March 28-30, nearly 1,100 delegates from mass organizations of ASEAN member countries will make recommendations to the ASEAN Summit scheduled to be held in Phnom Penh in early next month.

Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister Sok An said Cambodia, in its capacity as ASEAN’s rotating chair, will create the best possible conditions for representatives of mass and non-governmental organizations to meet with ASEAN leaders.

Initiated in 2005, the ASEAN People’s Forum has been regularly held on the sidelines of ASEAN Summits.

Cambodia will host the 20th ASEAN Summit in Phnom Penh on April 3-4. The Vietnamese delegation will be led by Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung.