(VOVWORLD) - The ASEAN People Forum (APF) 2020, held online from Thursday to Saturday, was themed “Southeast Asian People Solidarity for an Inclusive Cohesive and Responsive Community”.
 Mr. Phan Anh Son, Vice President of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations |
Mr. Phan Anh Son, Head of the event’s organizing board and Vice President of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations, said:
“APF’s main goal is to increase cooperation and unity of ASEAN people and governments towards a peaceful, stable, prosperous, and developed ASEAN. In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, this year’s event focuses on strengthening ASEAN people and organizations’ collaboration in responding to the pandemic and recovering the economy.”
The event, attended by more than 1,000 representatives from Vietnamese and ASEAN non-governmental organizations, discussed peace, security, human rights, ecological sustainability, labor, immigration, innovation, technology, investment, trade, racism, and religious extremism.
APF, an annual event held on the sideline of the ASEAN Summit, was initiated by Malaysia in 2005. The event has created a forum for ASEAN people’s organizations and has help bring public opinions to ASEAN leaders.