The network, proposed by Vietnam, aims to increase the exchange of youth-related activities, especially in voluntary work, and to arrange meetings and training for young entrepreneurs and the sharing experiences among young leaders in member economies of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum.

At the three-day meeting, which closed in Hanoi on August 4, participants agreed that socio-economic, environmental and institutional issues were closely related to young people. They expressed their wish to assist developing economies in protecting the environment and developing policies related to youth and social affairs generally.

At the closing session, the secretary in charge of external affairs for the Vietnam National Committee on Youth Doan Van Thai, said the opinions contributed by participants will be filed and submitted to the third APEC Senior Officials' Meeting, due to take place in Vietnam in September.

Mr Thai, who is also Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union (HCMCYU) Central Committee proposed that the APEC Secretariat create a website for APEC youth to promote their views on issues of mutual concern.