ASEAN is facing huge opportunities to develop and integrate into the global economy, motivated by the 4^th industrial revolution: digital technology, the Internet of Things, Artificial Intelligence, and big data. ASEAN leaders said the theme of WEF-ASEAN is in line with global development trends and supplements this year’s theme of ASEAN – building a self-reliant and creative ASEAN Community.

Malaysian Ambassador to Vietnam Dato M. Zamruni Khalid said that the theme matches the shared concern of ASEAN countries, who don’t want to fall behind in the 4^th industrial revolution. Thailand, Singapore, and Malaysia have strategies to grasp opportunities.

ASEAN leaders will discuss ways to adapt to the new environment and take advantage of the new technologies. Many European countries and the US have made giant leaps forward and ASEAN countries must narrow the gap to catch up with them. Business models must be adapted to digital technology to create a more competitive environment.