Hainan (VNA) – Asia should take innovation and creativity as key driving forces for sustainable development, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh said at the 20💞16 Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) opened in China’s Hainan province on March 24.

That Asian economies are pushing ahead with renovation, economic restructuring, the development of science and technology, and high-quality human resources is an appropriate move, the diplomat said. He urged Asian countries to forge regional economic connectivity within the frameworks of bilateral and sub-regional cooperation, the ASEAN Community, and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). The Deputy PM emphanised the importance of enhancing cooperation for sustainable development, especially in climate change adaptation, food security, energy security and water resources security; highlighting these as both urgent demands and generators of significant momentum to sustainable development in each country, as well as across the region. He described the reinforcement of a peaceful and stable environment as an indispensable premise for Asia’s development, saying all disputes need to be resolved peacefully and in line with international law. He reiterated Vietnam’s efforts to cooperate with other countries in the spirit of mutual trust and respect, and sharing responsibility for common issues of the region and the world. Addressing the opening ceremony, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang confirmed his commitment to cooperation, sound friendship and neighbourliness with all Asian countries; suggesting that countries should fuel economic growth, enhance regional integration and production capacity, and focus on developing open and inclusive economies that encourage innovation and creativity to create new development momentums. Prime Ministers from Cambodia, Laos, Lithuania, Nepal, and Thailand also delivered speeches at the event, which stressed the role and development potential of Asia in the world; as well as the necessity of furthering ties to ensure peace and stability in the region, the significance of reform, the application of new technology and regional integration. Themed “Asia’s New Future: New Dynamics, New Vision”, the 2016 Boao Forum for Asia drew over 2,000 delegates from countries in and out of the region. On the occasion, leaders of Vietnam’s southern Ben Tre province attended the ASEAN-China Governors/Mayors’ Dialogue, in order to increase exchanges and collaboration between regions and localities in China and ASEAN.-VNA