Hanoi (VNA) - Promoting the role ofyouth in ASEAN will contribute not only to intensifying the sustainability ofdevelopment strategies but also to tightening solidarity and friendship amongcountries in the region and the world.

Over recent years, youth cooperation within theframework of ASEAN and ASEAN Plus has made major contributions to theimplementation of the bloc’s priorities.

Programmes, conferences, and projects withdiverse themes have been dedicated to young people in ASEAN member states, witha focus on environmental protection and climate change response, helping theyoung improve their skills and supporting them in start-up activities.

Notable events include the rotary biennial ASEANMinisterial Meeting on Youth (AMMY), the annual ASEAN Senior Officials Meetingon Youth (SOMY), the AMMY Plus, the SOMY Plus, and the ASEAN Youth Day Meeting.

To build and promote its position in the region,Japan has paid special attention to youth - the leaders of the future - throughinitiating many cooperation activities, in particular the Ship for theSoutheast Asian Youth Programme (SSEAYP), the JICA Training Programme for YoungLeaders, and the Japan-East Asia Network of Exchange for Students and Youths(JENESYS).

The first ASEAN Plus China Ministerial Meetingon Youth in 2004 approved the Beijing Declaration on ASEAN-China YouthCooperation and a joint Action Plan to carry out the declaration. Accordingly,China hosts seminars, forums, and exchanges between young ASEAN and Chinesepeople every year, such as the ASEAN-China Youth Camp and the Mekong-LancangProgramme.

Meanwhile, the Republic of Korea (RoK) hasinitiated and hosted several youth cooperation activities with ASEAN, includingthe ASEAN-Korea Future-Oriented Exchange Programme and the ASEAN-Korea FrontierForum.

This year, as Vietnam assumes the ASEAN Chairmanship,the National Committee on Youth of Vietnam and the Ho Chi Minh Communist YouthUnion will hold a range of activities, including a meeting between ASEAN youthand senior leaders on the sidelines of the 36th ASEAN Summit, the expandedASEAN Youth Volunteer Programme, the ASEAN Young Entrepreneurs Forum, thefourth ASEAN University Student Council Union (AUSCU) Conference, the ASEANYouth Leadership Summit, and the ASEAN Plus Three Conference for YoungScientists.

Its active organisation and participation inyouth collaboration demonstrates Vietnam’s responsibility and helps heighten itsrole in the region and fosters domestic youth movements, contributing toaffirming the Party and State’s policy of promoting cooperation with ASEAN andASEAN Plus Three countries./.