Youth Summit highlights commitment to future-focused collaboration
ASEAN-Korea Centre Secretary General Kim Jae-shin, center, poses with ASEAN Korea Youth Summit participants in Seoul, Nov. 5. Courtesy of ASEAN-Korea Centre
Fifty-three youth leaders from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the Republic of Korea (ROK) convened at the ASEAN-Korea Youth Summit to share perspectives and devise strategies to address pressing regional and global challenges in Seoul, Nov. 5. The summit centered on three critical areas: education cooperation for youth empowerment, digital transformation for inclusive growth and climate cooperation for sustainable development.
The ASEAN-Korea Youth Summit invited young delegates from 11 countries to discuss, negotiate and draft the Chairman’s Statement, reflecting the perspectives of the youth of ASEAN and Korea on the ASEAN-Korea Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. The program also aims to provide a platform for the youth from both regions to network, enhance their awareness and contribute their voices to the ASEAN-Korea partnership.
The Chairman’s Statement from the summit underscores the need for enhanced collaboration to tackle educational disparities, boost digital literacy and ensure equitable access to quality education, particularly in rural regions. Key initiatives proposed include the establishment of a STEM Work-Study Program and partnerships between ASEAN and Korean companies to increase internship opportunities and research and development centers. The statement also calls for public-private partnerships to improve youth employability and highlights the significance of lifelong learning, teacher training and vocational education in both virtual and in-person formats.
ASEAN-Korea Youth Summit Chairman Phengsy Dalavong of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic emphasized the importance of the summit’s priorities, which are aligned with the Lao PDR’s 2024 ASEAN Chairmanship theme, “ASEAN: Enhancing Connectivity and Resilience.”
“We are committed to reinforcing the ASEAN-ROK partnership by expanding cooperation across the three community pillars: Education Cooperation for Youth Empowerment, Digital Transformation for Inclusive Growth and Climate Cooperation for Sustainable Development,” he said.
The summit acknowledged the remarkable progress in ASEAN-ROK Dialogue Relations and the substantial achievements in implementing the Plan of Action to Implement the Joint Vision Statement for Peace, Prosperity and Partnership (2021-25). Looking ahead, the youth leaders eagerly anticipated the finalization of the ASEAN-ROK Plan of Action (2026-30), which will continue to strengthen the partnership.
The summit highlighted the critical role of education in empowering the youth. Discussions centered on bridging the digital divide and enhancing technological infrastructure to ensure equitable access to quality education.
Youth leaders praised initiatives like the Global Korea Scholarship and the ASEAN-ROK Education Exchange, which facilitate educational opportunities and foster cultural understanding. They also called for increased private-sector involvement to expand internship and job placement opportunities in high-demand fields such as information technology, engineering and green energy.
Digital transformation was recognized as a key priority, with a focus on improving access to digital tools and literacy in digitally disconnected regions.
Climate cooperation emerged as a vital area for sustainable development. The youth leaders committed to advocating for increased youth engagement in policymaking and leading climate action.
The ASEAN-Korea Youth Summit underscored the collective resolve of ASEAN and Korean youth leaders to build a more inclusive, future-oriented education system and a resilient ASEAN-ROK community.
The summit also highlighted the crucial role of digital transformation in fostering inclusive growth and sustainable development across the ASEAN region and Korea. The summit, attended by youth leaders and policymakers, focused on enhancing digital education, promoting the digital economy and ensuring equitable access to technology.
Dalavong underscored the importance of equipping young people with the necessary skills to thrive in a rapidly evolving digital age.
"We acknowledged the critical need to promote digital education, literacy and lifelong learning programs," he said. "Ensuring that all youths are equipped with the skills necessary to thrive in the evolving digital age is paramount, especially given the increasing reliance on technology in both public and private sectors."
Dalavong addressed the digital divide affecting marginalized groups, including older adults, low-income households and rural communities. He reiterated the summit's commitment to lessening this gap through targeted initiatives and programs.
The summit emphasized the digital economy's role in driving sustainable economic growth with the expansion of big data, fintech and digital entrepreneurship as key areas offering significant opportunities for businesses.
In a move to support small and medium-sized enterprises and startups, the summit committed to improving access to digital platforms and e-commerce marketplaces.
A significant initiative announced at the summit was the ASEAN-ROK Digital Inclusion and Accessibility Initiative. This program aims to provide affordable digital resources and reliable internet access to underserved communities, particularly in rural areas.
Cybersecurity and data protection were also key topics of discussion. Dalavong proposed that Singapore and Korea take on leadership roles in advocating best practices in these areas.
To address the digital skills divide, the summit suggested the creation of an ASEAN-ROK Digital Skills Training Program, modeled after Korea’s Computer Science Educational Program. This initiative aims to equip individuals with crucial abilities in IT, programming, artificial intelligence, data analysis and cybersecurity.
Highlighting the collaboration efforts geared towards nurturing cybersecurity experts, the summit discussed training programs and career development opportunities tailored to students. Dalavong praised the Philippines’ National Cybersecurity Plan and advocated for strengthened cooperation to advance regional cybersecurity initiatives.