Regional youths seek ways to contribute to ASEAN Community

The conference was initiated by the NCYV with the aim of showing Vietnam’s commitment in implementing the ASEAN Work Plan on Youth in the 2016-2020 period, creating chances for youth leaders of ASEAN countries to share experience and seek cooperation opportunities in the future.

Standing Secretary of the HCYU Central Committee and President of the Vietnam Youth Federation Nguyen Anh Tuan noted that ASEAN countries have invested greatly in youth development by issuing laws, policies and strategies in the field as well as upgrading infrastructure systems to create optimal conditions for the comprehensive development of youngsters.

Indicators on ASEAN’s youth development regarding education, health conditions, employment, startups and youth’s engagement in social activities have been improved strongly in recent years.

With nearly 220 million people, the youth account for one-third of the ASEAN population, an important resource for the socio-economic development of each country and the growth of the ASEAN Community, Tuan said.

He noted that over the years, hundreds of forums, programmes, conferences and activities have been held and benefited different groups of youngsters such as students, young scientists, entrepreneurs, public servants, volunteer youths, workers, and politicians.

Tuan said that amidst difficulties caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, ASEAN youths have shown their pioneering role, solidarity and mutual support in preventing the spreading of the disease, contributing to socio-economic stability in countries and the whole region.

Participants joining the event discussed a wide range of issues related to the development of the youth, ASEAN youth cooperation, and opportunities to strengthen youth collaboration in the future.

Hang Chuon Naron, Cambodian Minister of Education, Youth and Sport, held that each country should pay more attention to education and methods to implement youth-related activities to develop the youth force – the future leaders of each nation.

Along with giving new approaches to volunteer activities, vocational training and employment for the youth, it is necessary to equip them with necessary skills to meet the labour market’s requirements, so that ASEAN youths can access equal employment opportunities, he stated.

Meanwhile, Secretary of the HCYU Central Committee and Vice Chairman of the NCYV Nguyen Ngoc Luong put forth a number of measures to further promote youth cooperation in the future.

He affirmed Vietnam’s commitment to implement contents of the ASEAN Work Plan on Youth in the 2021-2025 period, especially those related to volunteer youths, support to youths’ start-ups and enhancing youngsters’ skills to meet the requirements of the fourth Industrial Revolution.

Amidst the complicated developments of the COVID-19 pandemic, he proposed that ministries and youth agencies of regional countries continue to share experience and strengthen collaboration in preventing the pandemic and speeding up recovery in each country in the new normal period.

He also stressed the need to enhance the awareness of the ASEAN Community among youngsters in each country.

Concluding the event, the ASEAN youth leaders approved a joint statement, which will be submitted to the 37th ASEAN Summit.