(VOVworld) - Urgent regional issues and challenges were high on the agenda of the International Conference on “The Future of Asia”, which opened on Thursday in Tokyo. Secretary General of ASEAN, Surin Pitsuwan, said Asia is facing increasing difficulties in terms of politics, economics and the environment. In such a context, East Asia plays an important role in resolving global issues. Mr. Pitsuwan expressed the hope of ASEAN member countries for consolidating East Asian cooperation. The Vietnamese delegation attending the conference is led by Vice President Nguyen Thi Doan, who is scheduled to deliver a speech today, the conference’s last day.