ID :
365219
Tue, 04/28/2015 - 07:31
Auther :

ASEAN Youth Appreciate Interface Meeting With Leaders

KUALA LUMPUR, April 28 (Bernama) -- ASEAN youth had their voice and aspirations heard in an engaging session with ASEAN leaders during an interface forum in conjunction with the 26th ASEAN Summit here on Monday. Thathsaphone of Laos, who was elated to be selected for the inaugural interface session, said participants took the opportunity to highlight matters close to the heart of youth, including education and peace. "The interface session is very useful for us as we gave an opportunity to express important issues regarding youth development in ASEAN," he said when met after the session at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC). Among the leaders attending was Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, the Philippines President Benigno S. Aquino III, Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Thailand's Prime Minister General Prayuth Chan-Ocha. Thathsaphone said the leaders at the session were committed to listening and engaging with the youth group. Another participant, Dindong Dantes of the Philippines said the ASEAN leaders had stressed the importance of youth voices being heard, as the group represents half the 620 million population of the region. "I am satisfied with the meeting, but hope the youth can be given more time to discuss other important issues with our leaders," he added. Dantes is a famous actor in the Philippines. He said the massive earthquake in Nepal was also highlighted at the meeting and the prospect of ASEAN youth playing an important role in assisting in disaster management. The April 26-27 ASEAN summit is split between Kuala Lumpur and the island of Langkawi in northern Malaysia. Established in 1967, ASEAN comprises 10 countries, namely Brunei Darussalam, the Philippines, Indonesia, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. -- BERNAMA

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