Vietnam's Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Nguyen Thi Ha led the country's delegation to the 14th ASEAN Youth Ministers Meeting, which was held virtually under the chairmanship of the Philippines from August 19 to August 21.
The meeting brought together ministers and senior officials responsible for youth affairs from ASEAN member states, as well as representatives from South Korea, Japan, China and partner organisations.
The 14th ASEAN Youth Ministers Meeting and related meetings are held online under the chairmanship of the Philippines (Photo: Tong Giap).
During the conference, participants exchanged views on regional priorities and emerging challenges affecting young people, including employment, digital transformation, climate change and holistic physical and mental development.
Addressing the meeting, Nguyen Thi Ha said young people, who account for around one-third of ASEAN's population, should not be viewed merely as beneficiaries of public policies.
“Youth are innovators, a source of internal strength, pioneers of change and key actors in shaping the future of ASEAN,” she said.
The Vietnamese delegation was led by Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Nguyen Thi Ha, together with relevant units under the Ministry of Home Affairs (Photo: Tong Giap).
Ha noted that Vietnam's Party and State regard young people as a vital national resource and a driving force in building the country's future.
“Investing in youth is investing in the nation's long-term competitiveness,” she said.
Vietnam reaffirmed its commitment to remaining an active, responsible and constructive member of ASEAN and pledged to work closely with the ASEAN Secretariat and member states to implement agreed action plans effectively.
Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Nguyen Thi Ha speaks online at the conference (Photo: Tong Giap).
The ASEAN Youth Ministers Meeting was followed by the ASEAN Plus Three Youth Ministers Meeting involving South Korea, Japan and China.
Participants highlighted the importance of the ASEAN Plus Three cooperation framework in creating broader opportunities for young people to contribute to the region's shared development and prosperity.
Priorities identified for the next five years include youth exchanges, skills development, support for entrepreneurship, digital innovation and sustainable development.
Earlier, senior officials from ASEAN and ASEAN Plus Three countries also met to discuss youth-related cooperation and policy initiatives.
Throughout the meetings, representatives from ASEAN member states reaffirmed their collective commitment to empowering young people as active partners in implementing the ASEAN Community Vision 2045.
