Koh Santepheap Daily (English)

October 26, 2005

“The First Conference of the Asia Economic Forum”

     Phnom Penh: His Excellency, Keat Chhon, Senior Minister and Minister of Ministry Economy and Finance said that international cooperation is an important task in the Asia region.  ASEAN play an important role in the region by facilitating the participation of China, South Korea, and Japan.

     These were statements made by His Excellency Keat Chhon on October 25, 2005 at Le Royal Hotel during the first conference of the Asia Economic Forum on "The Future of Asia: The First East Asia Summit and Its Implications for Asia and the World.”  The conference was organized by the Asia Economic Forum of the University of Cambodia in cooperation with the International Foundation for Arts and Culture.

     Based on the conference materials handed out to the guest at the conference.  It is noted that the Asia Economic Forum (AEF) is an independent think tank, established by the University of Cambodia in early 2005.  AEF acts as a forum for promoting policy dialogue on major issues facing Asia at present and in the future.  Its aim is to bringing together important policymakers in various fields, leading scholars and researchers, eminent thinkers and educators, leaders in the private sectors, youth and civil society member to work towards sustainable development and narrow the development gap.

     Asia is a fast growing region with economical and political mite.  Asia's strategic decisions not only affect the countries in the region, but also affect the economy, the politics, the security, and the society of the entire world. AEF’s main goal is to promote sustainable development which includes human development, economic progress, and environmental sustainability in Asia. Clearly, there are many issues that the Asia Economic Forum have raised during the first conference this year, such as impacts of the high oil prices, natural disasters, epidemic diseases, widening development gaps within countries and among nations in the region, investment and competitiveness, environmental issues, and human resource development.