On 26, February 2025, EuroCham Vietnam’s Chairman Bruno Jaspaert and Head of Hanoi Office cum External Relations Manager Van Nguyen attended the ASEAN Future Forum 2025 in Hanoi. The event welcomed Vietnam Prime Minister H.E. Mr. Pham Minh Chinh, New Zealand Prime Minister H.E. Mr. Christopher Luxon.
Representing Vietnam at the event were also Deputy Prime Minister H.E. Mr. Bui Thanh Son, Deputy Foreign Minister & ASEAN SOM Leader of Vietnam H.E. Mr. Do Hung Viet. Notable attendees included Lao Deputy Prime Minister H.E. Mr. Saleumxay Kommasith; Lao Minister of Foreign Affairs H.E. Mr. Thongsavanh Phomvihane; Timor-Leste Minister of Foreign Affairs H.E. Mr. Bendito Dos Santos Freitas; as well as a variety of representatives from diplomatic agencies, international organisations, research institutes, associations, the ASEAN business community and partner countries.
Sustainability and Economic Resilience Emphasised
At the Plenary session titled ASEAN Subregional Cooperation for Resilience and Sustainability – green development and resilience against climate change were top concerns. Country leaders discussed strategies to leverage the diverse strengths of ASEAN’s subregions to address environmental challenges and build economic resilience. Key strategies include:
- Developing green supply chains
- Fostering sustainable industries
- Attracting investments in eco-friendly subregion projects
ASEAN to Harness the Power of Emerging Technologies
Following the Plenary, EuroCham’s Chairman Bruno Jaspaert was invited to attend a Working Lunch themed “A future-ready ASEAN: Harnessing the power of emerging technologies” – chaired by Vietnam Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh.
At the working lunch, New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon shared New Zealand’s experience in applying affordable clean energy and AI in operating data centres and improving productivity and life standards. Vietnam Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh emphasised that mastering new technologies is crucial for Vietnam. He stated key directions for Vietnam and ASEAN technological development:
- Enhance institutional harmonisation in ASEAN to reduce compliance costs and open the institutional environment for businesses and citizens.
- Technological knowledge transfer over technology sale: ASEAN must seek knowledge transfer from global tech companies instead of just becoming another marketplace for tech companies to sell to.
- Develop skilled professionals: Without local talents, technological advancement is impossible.
- Focus on infrastructure development and smart governance to foster technological growth
- Enhance government – business collaboration: Businesses to lead innovations and government to engage leading businesses in policy making to better align with the realities of the digital economy.
EuroCham Vietnam is honoured to attend the ASEAN Future Forum 2025 and will continue acting as a bridge between the European Business Community and the Vietnamese Government and market to foster a sustainable economy in Vietnam.
