VietNamNet Bridge - Representatives of youth from APEC economies discussed the impact of global climate change, youth in the digital age, gender equality, employment, and especially startups at the VOF Forum 2017.

Thayika Hayvabut from Chulalongkorn University (Thailand) said he was impressed with the theme of APEC 2017, initiated by Vietnam. He also raised opinions on topics such as global climate change, gender equality, the fourth industrial revolution, cooperation - dialogue among the youth, employment, startup, human resource development, and promoting sustainable growth.

Meanwhile, Mai Nguyen Cong Thuan, a student at Da Nang Economics University (Vietnam), presented his thoughts about start-ups among the youth. Thuan, a winner of the Da Nang Startup Runway competition with a product called “multifunctional jacket”, Thuan said VOF 2017 is an opportunity for Vietnamese students to meet with international friends and to expand their relationship. Vietnamese representatives at VOF 2017 delivered a message of enthusiasm, responsibility for a Vietnam of regional and international integration.

Lucía Graciela Vargas Elizondo, a young girl from Mexico was very excited with activities at the VOF APEC 2017 in Vietnam. Lucía said that this was the first time she came to Vietnam and the country and people are much more beautiful than her imagination.

Ji Eun Park from South Korea was surprised to know that the Peace Village in the central province of Quang Nam was built with funding from Korean veterans.

Attend the VOF 2017 Forum, Dr. Dinglong Huang - Director of Malong - with a mission to help traditional industries apply artificial intelligence to achieve greater efficiency, quality and safety, said that APEC youth's start-up in the digital age must be those who can take advantage of the flat world and the global network.

With the message "No one left behind," Dr. Noeleen Heyzer, former UN Vice Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, addressed: “There are many opportunities and if you can take advantage of those opportunities, you will surely succeed. In fact, there are things, even the opportunity to study that so many people do not have. So, you should try to use your voice to protect even those who do not have this opportunity.”

Le Van Thanh, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Quang Nam province, the host of VOF 2017, said: "I believe that the VOF 2017 will bring a bright future to the world through the activities of young people, representatives of APEC member economies as the theme of the program "Create new dynamism, fostering the shared future".

At the closing ceremony, the APEC VOF 2017 adopted the 2017 Youth Declaration with four key elements: Youth’s contribution to the APEC 2020 Vision and future; economic, social and financial inclusiveness; human resources development in the digital age; policy to support micro, small and medium start-up businesses.

At the closing ceremony, the Organizing Committee handed over the APEC VOF Program to Papua New Guinea, the host of APEC 2018.

Nguyen Thanh