Along with information and communications chiefs from 10 ASEAN member countries, the event also drew Lao Deputy Prime Minister Sonesay Siphandone, ASEAN Secretary General Lim Jock Hoi, and representatives from dialogue partners of China, Japan, the Republic of Korea, India, the US, as well as the European Commission and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).
The annual event aims to strengthen ICT cooperation among the ASEAN member countries as well as between the association and partners.
During the two-day event, the ministers will review their cooperation in the past year, while discussing their future partnership orientations, including cooperation initiatives and programmes to promote ASEAN digital transformation.
The ministers will hold separate working sessions with dialogue partners to discuss collaboration programmes and activities in 2020 as well as partnership in personnel training, innovation promotion and the enhancing of capacity in coping with cyber-security risks.
Addressing the event, the Lao Deputy Prime Minister said that IT and digital transformation have become a major motivation for socio-economic development, causing a great impact on people’s lives and bringing about various opportunities.
Digital connection has created new forms of connectivity and partnership, allowing markets to become closer and generating new industries, he said.
Alongside, digital connectivity has helped improve public services, including education and health care, the official added.
He held that in order to prepare for the Fourth Industrial Revolution and enhancing cooperation in cyber-security, ASEAN member countries should work more closely together to upgrade the quality of the human resources to liberalize people’s potential and cope with challenges ahead.
As scheduled, on the sidelines of TELMIN 19, Deputy Minister Hung will have bilateral meetings with ITU members to share information and discuss specific cooperation areas in the future.
