APEC Voices of the Future
Da Nang, Viet Nam
5 - 11 November 2017
A Special Report on the APEC Voices of the Future 2017 held in Da Nang, Viet Nam

Background
The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) was formed in
1989 as a regional platform in which member economies could
discuss free trade and economic cooperation along the PacificRim. Its primary purpose is to facilitate economic growth andprosperity in the Asia-Pacific region with the vision of creating aseamless regional economy.
The first time Viet Nam hosted the APEC Leaders’ Week was in2006 in Hanoi. In 2017, the APEC Leaders’ Week was successfully
hosted by Viet Nam for the second time.
The APEC Leaders’ Week held in Da Nang, Viet Nam from
9 and 10 November 2017 was attended by Heads of APEC
member economies from Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, China,
Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Mexico,
New Zealand, Peru, Philippines, Papua New Guinea, Russia,
Singapore, Chinese Taipei, Thailand, United States of America
and the host economy Viet Nam.

H.E. Tran Dai Quang, President of Viet Nam gracing the Opening
Ceremony of the APEC 2017 CEO Summit at Ariyana Exhibition andConvention Centre in Da Nang, Viet Nam.

In conjunction with the APEC Leaders’ Week, the APEC CEO
Summit and ABAC Meeting, the APEC Voices of the Future 2017
was concurrently held at the beautiful coastal city of Da Nang, Viet
Nam from 5 to 11 November 2017 with the support of the APEC2017 National Committee of Viet Nam and the APEC Secretariat.
The theme for the APEC Voices of the Future 2017 was in line withthe theme of APEC 2017, “Creating New Dynamism, Fosteringa Shared Future” and how young leaders from the Asia-Pacificregion can play a role and contribute to the well-being and successof the region.
APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting 2017 hosted by H.E. Tran Dai
Quang, President of Viet Nam.

Leaders from the 21 APEC Member Economies gathering for the official group photograph during the APEC Leaders’ Week 2017 in Da Nang,
Viet Nam.

ABAC Women’s Luncheon 2017
The APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC) Women’s Luncheon
event was held at the Ariyana Exhibition and Convention Centre
on 5 November 2017 in Da Nang, Viet Nam.
APEC Voices 2017 Keynote Speaker for the Youth Forum, Dr
Noeleen Heyzer, United Nations Under-Secretary-General andExecutive Secretary of the United Nations Economic and Social
Commission for Asia and the Pacific (2007 to 2015) and Member,
United Nations Secretary-General’s High Level Advisory Board on
Mediation, was also the Keynote Speaker on the theme: Women’s
Economic Empowerment for the ABAC luncheon event, which
was followed by a panel discussion.
Dr Noeleen Heyzer, UN Under-Secretary-General and Executive
Secretary, United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asiaand the Pacific (2007-2015) and Member, UN Secretary-General’sHigh Level Advisory Board on Mediation addressing the ABAC
Women’s Luncheon.

“It is time for your generation to take up the batonof building a vision for a dynamic, interconnected,
sustainable and inclusive APEC community. Let
us make APEC 2017 a meaningful year for creating
new dynamism, fostering a shared future.”

Panel discussion during the ABAC Women’s Luncheon at the Ariyana
Exhibition and Convention Centre.

H.E. Pham Binh Minh
Deputy Prime Minister andMinister of Foreign Affairs andChairman, APEC 2017 National Committee
Socialist Republic of Viet Nam

Official Opening Ceremony of the
APEC Voices of the Future 2017
The annual APEC Voices of the Future Programme was held from
5 to 11 November 2017 in Da Nang, Viet Nam. The programme
kicked off with an orientation conducted by the APEC Voices
Leadership Council for the youth delegates and educators at thePalm Garden Resort in Hoi An where the APEC Voices delegateswere staying. The orientation program was attended by youth
delegates and educators from 17 APEC Member Economies.
Delegates were briefed on the day-to-day activities during the
APEC Week and members had the opportunity to get to know one
another.
The APEC Voices 2017 Opening Ceremony was held on 6
November 2017 at the Da Nang University and was graced by
H.E. The Honourable Huynh Duc Tho, Chairman of the People’s
Committee of Da Nang, Viet Nam.
In his Welcoming Address at the Opening Ceremony at Da Nang
University, Mr James Soh, Co-Chairman of the APEC Voices
Leadership Council, welcomed the APEC Voices delegates to thebeautiful coastal city of Da Nang for the 2017 APEC Voices Youth
Forum. He encouraged delegates to take this rare opportunity
to learn about the workings of APEC and to discuss among
themselves how - as youth leaders from the Asia Pacific region they could play an active role in contributing their ideas and making
a difference to the region in the future as the youth of today are theleaders of tomorrow.
At the Opening Ceremony, Mr Le Quoc Phong, the First Secretaryof Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union welcomed the APEC
Voices delegates to Da Nang and encouraged the youth leaders
not only to engage actively with their APEC Voices counterparts,
but also with the Vietnamese youth leaders attending the event as
well. “Viet Nam is very open to new ideas especially from the youths
and we look forward to many fruitful discussions and exchange ofideas during the Youth Forum at the Da Nang University,” he said.

H.E. Huynh Duc Tho, Chairman of the People’s Committee of Da Nangaddressing at the Opening Ceremony of the APEC Voices 2017 at Da
Nang University.

ABAC Members, APEC Voices Leaders and senior officials at theOpening Ceremony of the APEC Voices 2017 at Da Nang University.

In his Opening Address, the Chairman of the People’s Committee of
Da Nang, The Honourable Huynh Duc Tho also warmly welcomed
the APEC Voices delegates and guests to Da Nang. Mr Huynhemphasised the importance of the APEC Theme “Creating New
Dynamism, Fostering a Shared Future” as he strongly believedthat we need to embrace our younger generation which is our
future and encourage them to fully utilise their creativity, passion
and enthusiasm not only in helping to develop the economy in theregion but also contribute their leadership in other fields on theirinterests in the region and beyond.
“Not only can young people establish links forbusinesses, these young voices can also advocate
good governance and best practices within
business communities in the Asia-Pacific region
and beyond.”
James Soh PBM MBE
Co-Chair, APEC Voices Leadership Council

Mr David Toua, ABAC Chair 2018 of Papua New Guinea, Ms Katherine
Rich, ABAC Member, New Zealand with youth delegates from Papua
New Guinea.

APEC Voices 2017 officials and delegates from 17 APEC Member Economies at the APEC Voices 2017 Opening
Ceremony at Da Nang University.

APEC Voices of the Future 2017 Youth Forum
The highlight of the APEC Voices Youth Forum was the keynote
address by Dr Noeleen Heyzer, Former United Nations UnderSecretary General and Executive Secretary of United Nations
Economic and Social Commission for Asia-Pacific and current
Member of the United Nations’ Secretary-General’s High-Level
Advisory Board on Mediation.
In her address, Dr Heyzer shared with youth delegates on theimportance of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
and how to create new dynamism and foster a shared futureamongst youth in the Asia-Pacific Region. She also shared how
the Millennium Development Goals had achieved substantial
progress in the areas of combating poverty, improving education,
health and reducing hunger across the globe. “Much progresshas been made on these areas, but there is still a long way to
go to achieve these goals. We need to galvanise and encourage
everyone to be involved in order to achieve the SDG Goals,” sheadded.
The APEC 2017 theme “Creating New Dynamism, Fostering a
Shared Future” is indeed a very appropriate theme for the APEC
Voices of the Future. As a youth leader, you can play an active rolein your own community and create a platform so that more young
people like yourself can come together to create an impact andmake a difference in our region and beyond, starting with your own
economy. By empowering your peers, friends and community to

Dr Noeleen Heyzer, Keynote Speaker at the APEC Voices 2017 Youth
Forum at Da Nang University.

combat climate change as well as to protect our eco-system suchas the oceans and marine resources for sustainable development,
and by promoting peaceful and inclusive societies so that everyone
has a role to play, we can all help to build effective, accountable
institutions at all levels.
“Youth are our future and your commitment and active participation
can help make a big difference in our region,” she concluded.

APEC Voices of the Future 2017 Youth Forum
Another guest speaker at the youth forum was Dr Dinglong Huang,
Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Malong Technologies.
Dr Huang spoke on the topic: “Entrepreneurship, Innovation andSustainability - What are the challenges of start-ups and the futureof the digital age in the Asia Pacific Region?”
Dr Huang shared his views on the technological revolution which
we have seen today and how it will impact our lives and work.
“Indeed, many people fear that their jobs will be taken over bymachines in the future. How does one respond to these so-called
threats?” Dr Huang believes that machines won’t completely takeover all the jobs from human beings. “Used wisely, machines mayhelp us to progress even faster and society will benefit from it.”Both speakers were engaged in a very lively dialogue after theirpresentation which challenged the youth delegates to think out of
the box and to seek new ideas to make our region a more vibrantcommunity.

Guest Speaker Dr Dinglong Huang, Co-Founder and Chief Executive
Officer, Malong Technologies, China, Guest Speaker at the APEC
Voices 2017 Youth Forum.

The APEC Voices Youth Forum also provided a platform fordelegates from the 21 APEC Member Economies to address theissues related to APEC from these youth leaders’ perspectives
and the challenges they faced in their respective economies. Oneof the issues raised countless times during the past few forums
was the mismatch between education and the job market. Manydelegates shared their own experiences of their difficulties infinding jobs that matched what they were trained for.
In conclusion, the APEC Voices Youth Forum 2017 was also
an excellent platform for the students of University of Da Nang
to interact with the APEC young leaders and to forge a closefriendship between Vietnam and the APEC member economies.

APEC Voices delegates representing various economies presenting
their group report at the Youth Forum.

“I encourage the APEC‘s voices of the future
to engage in meaningful dialogue with key
policymakers and business leaders to discussand share your insights in finding new solutions
to current and future challenges.”
Dr Alan Bollard
Executive Director
APEC Secretariat

Visit to Quang Nam Peace Village
The APEC Voices delegates were also invited to visit the Orphanage
at Quang Nam Peace village located in Tam Dan commune, Phu
Ninh District, Central Quang Nam Province. Quang Nam was oneof the two central provinces in Viet Nam badly affected by Agent
Orange/Dioxin during the Viet Nam War and was also the main
operating theatre for soldiers from the Republic of Korea fighting
the war. Built with the support of the Korean Disabled Veterans
Organisation and the Quang Nam Provincial People’s Committee,
the peace village was established with the objective of nursing andproviding rehabilitation for these disabled war veterans and theirdescendants.

Mr James Soh, Co-Chair, APEC Voices Leadership Council
presenting the APEC Voices appreciation plaque H.E. Mr Huynh
Khanh Toan, Vice Chairman, Quang Nam People’s Committee atthe Quang Nam Peace Village.

APEC Voices delegates performing for the children at Quang Nam Peace
Village.

Visit to Tam Thanh Mural Village and Hoi An Ancient Town
APEC Voices delegates also toured the Tam Thanh Mural Village
as part of their enrichment programme during the APEC Week.
The murals were painted by talented Korean artists with more than
100 images showcasing the daily lives of the people in this fishingvillage and its lively and colourful landscapes. The day-tour ended
with a visit to the Ha Linh Lantern Making Factory in the UNESCOgazetted ancient town of Hoi An where APEC Voices delegates
had a hands-on experience of creating their own lanterns withthe help of the experts at the factory. It was indeed an enrichingexperience to be involved with the ancient art of lantern-making.
The young leaders also had the opportunity to explore the townof Hoi An as well as savour traditional Vietnamese cuisine during
their visit.

Listening to the guide explaining on the background of the mural wallat Tam Thanh Mural Village.

APEC Voices delegates visiting the Tam Thanh Mural Village at Quang
Nam Province.

Youth delegates from the Asia Pacific testing their skills in creating
their own lanterns in Hoi An.

APEC CEO Summit 2017
“Creating New Dynamism, Fostering a Shared Future”
The APEC CEO Summit 2017 held at the Ariyana Exhibition
and Convention Centre was the highlight of the APEC Voices
Programme for the youth delegates where they all had theopportunity to hear firsthand APEC and business leaders
addressing the issues facing the Asia Pacific region.
The APEC CEO Summit 2017 was officially opened by H.E.
Tran Dai Quang, President of Viet Nam. The summit saw APEC
and business leaders addressing the challenges faced by bothgovernments and business communities in a globalised world.
APEC government leaders who spoke at the APEC CEO Summit
included H.E. Pedro Pablo Kuczynski, President of Peru; H.E.
Rodrigo Duterte, President of the Philippines; H.E. Enrique Pena
Nieto, President of Mexico; H.E. Jacinda Ardern, Prime Minister of
New Zealand; H.E. Malcolm Turnbull, Prime Minister of Australia;
H.E. Peter O’ Neill, Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea; H.E.
Michelle Bachelet, President of Chile; H.E. Najib Razak, Prime
Minister of Malaysia; H.E. Carrie Lam, Chief Executive, Hong
Kong SAR; H.E. Donald Trump, President of the United States ofAmerica and H.E. Xi Jinping, President of the People’s Republicof China.
For many APEC Voices delegates who are attending the APECCEO Summit for the first time, it was indeed an eye-opening
experience of a lifetime as the delegates had the rare opportunity
to witness APEC Leaders sharing their insights and policies onfree trade and how the Asia-Pacific region can solve some of theissues through partnership and collaboration.

H.E. Tran Dai Quang, President of Viet Nam addressing the APECCEO Summit 2017 in Da Nang.

H.E. Peter O’Neill, Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea addressing
the APEC Leaders Meeting in Da Nang.

APEC CEO Summit 2017

H.E. Donald Trump, President of the United States addressing the
APEC CEO Summit.

H.E. Xi Jinping, President of the People’s Republic of China addressing
the APEC CEO Summit.

APEC Voices delegates from Canada with H.E. Justin Trudeau, Prime
Minister of Canada.

APEC Voices delegates from Japan with H.E. Shinzo Abe, Prime
Minister of Japan.

APEC Voices delegates from New Zealand with H.E. Jacinda Ardern,Prime Minister of New Zealand.

APEC Voices delegates from China and Singapore with Mr Scott Price,
Executive Vice Chairman, Global Leverage, Walmart International.

Singapore’s APEC Voices delegates with H.E. Dr Mohamad Maliki
Bin Osman, Senior Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Defence,
Singapore.

APEC Voices USA delegates at the APEC CEO Summit 2017.

APEC Voices 2017 Closing Ceremony-cum-Cultural Night
The APEC Voices 2017 Closing Ceremony-cum-Cultural Nightwas held at the Palm Garden Resort in Hoi An, Quang Nam
Province and was hosted by the Provincial Government of Quang
Nam Province. Artistes from Quang Nam province put up a richand spectacular cultural performance at the closing ceremony
showcasing traditional songs and dance with beautiful costumes.
It was an unforgettable evening indeed.
In his closing address, Mr James Soh, Co-Chairman of the
APEC Voices Leadership Council thanked H.E. Pham Binh Minh,
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam
and Chairman, APEC 2017 National Committee of Vietnam forsupporting the APEC Voices 2017 during the APEC Week 2017
held in Da Nang, Vietnam. Mr Soh also thanked H.E. Dr Le
Van Thanh, Vice-Chairman of Quang Nam Province People’s
Committee for his strong support for the APEC Voices 2017
Programme and for hosting the Closing Ceremony-cum-Cultural
Night.
The Closing Ceremony-cum-Cultural Night was attended by
officials and members of the APEC Voices delegates all dressed intheir national costumes for this special night. Besides exchanging
souvenirs, gifts and contacts with their fellow delegates and theirhosts, these youth leaders from the 17 APEC member economies
at this year’s summit also put up their best performances of songand dance items reflecting the rich culture of their respective
economies.

H.E. Dr Le Van Thanh, Vice-Chairman, Quang Nam Province People’s
Committee addressing at APEC Voices 2017 the Closing Ceremony.

H.E. Dr Le Van Thanh, Ms Pham Phuong Chi and Mr James Sohwitnessing the signing of the APEC Voices 2017 Youth Declaration by
youth representatives from the 17 APEC Member Economies.

APEC Voices 2017 Certificates of Participation presented by Guestof-Honour, H.E. Dr Le Van Thanh, witnessed by Ms Pham Phuong
Chi, Director General of Youth International Cooperation Development
Center and Secretary for International Affairs of National Committee on
Youth of Viet Nam and Mr Soh.

“I believe that APEC Voices delegates can utilize
your creativity, passion and enthusiasm to not only
develop our economy, but also contribute to otherfields in our region as well as the world.”
H.E. Huynh Duc Tho
Chairman of the Da Nang People’s Committee
Socialist Republic of Viet Nam

A traditional cultural item presented by performers from the Quang
Nam Province.

APEC Voices representatives presented the Youth Declaration to H.E.
Dr Le Van Thanh, Ms Pham Phuong Chi and Mr James Soh.

A stunning cultural performance by the youth delegates from Papua
New Guinea.

One of the highlights of the Closing Ceremony was the presentationof the June Mayne Gould Award to the most outstanding young
leaders of the APEC Voices 2017. The winner was Nguyen Cam
Tu from the Academy of Finance, Vietnam. The evening concluded
with the passing of the baton to the host economy of next year’s
summit, Papua New Guinea.

Ms Nguyen Cam Tu, Academy of Finance, Viet Nam receiving theJune Mayne Gould Award 2017 from Mr James Soh, Co-Chair, APEC
Voices Leadership Council.

Sincere Appreciation and Gratitude
Handover Ceremony: Ms Nguyen Y Van, APEC Voices representativeof Viet Nam handing over the APEC Voices plaque to Mr Charles
Thomas Wama, APEC Voices representative of Papua New Guinea.

Synopsis
Following the success of the APEC Voices of the Future 2017 in
Da Nang, Viet Nam, the APEC Voices Leadership Council looks
forward to the APEC Voices of the Future 2018 to be hosted by
Papua New Guinea in November 2018. In the true spirit of the warmand everlasting friendship of our Vietnamese hosts, the future foryoung leaders’ engagement, leadership and contributions in the
Asia-Pacific region looks as bright and as positive as ever, thanks
to the opportunity provided by our hosts in Da Nang, Viet Nam.
The Closing Ceremony ended with the passing of the baton to
next year’s host economy, Papua New Guinea, with the theme“Harnessing Inclusive Opportunities, Embracing the Digital Future”,
focusing on the importance of the internet, e-commerce and digital
economy. Likewise, the Youth Representative of Viet Nam also
handed over the baton to the Youth Representative of Papua New
Guinea as a symbol of continued progress and friendship.
Finally, all the APEC Voices delegates present also wished Papua
New Guinea great success in hosting the APEC Leader’s Week
and APEC Voices Program 2018.

The APEC Voices Leadership Council and the APEC Voices
Secretariat in Singapore would like to thank the Government ofViet Nam, especially H.E. Pham Binh Minh, Deputy Prime Minister,
Minister of Foreign Affairs and Chairman, APEC 2017 National
Committee of Viet Nam; H.E. Huynh Duc Tho, Chairman of thePeople’s Committee of Da Nang; H.E. Dr Le Van Thanh, ViceChairman of Quang Nam Province People’s Committee, Dr Alan
Bollard, Executive Director, APEC Secretariat, Mr Hoang VanDung, ABAC 2017 Chair, APEC 2017 National Committee; H.E.
Le Quoc Phong, First Secretary of Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth
Union; Prof Tran Van Nam, President, Da Nang University and all
our partners and supporters for their warm and generous support.
We are also grateful to the provincial governments of Da Nang andQuang Nam province, security personnel and police for providing
security for the APEC Voices delegates during the APEC Leaders’Week, as well as the media and press agencies in Vietnam fortheir extensive coverage of the APEC Voices 2017 Program.
The APEC Voices Leadership Council would also like to placeon record our gratitude and heartfelt thanks to the APEC Voices2017 Working Committee co-chaired by Ms Aileen Yap, Deputy
Executive Director, National Youth Achievement Award Council ofSingapore and the National Youth Achievement Award Council ofSingapore for their leadership and their tremendous support andcontributions in making APEC Voices of the Future 2017 held in
Da Nang, Viet Nam a resounding success.

Supported by:

Da Nang People’s Committee

National Youth Achievement
Award Council

Ho Chi Minh Communist
Youth Union

The People’s Committeeof Quang Nam Province

Da Nang University

This special report is compiled and published by
APEC Voices of the Future Secretariat
c/o National Youth Achievement Award Council, Singapore
151 Lorong Chuan, #06-01B (Lobby A) New Tech Park, Singapore 556741
Tel: (65) 6733 6753 Fax: (65) 6733 6754 Email: nyaac@singnet.com.sg Website: www.apecvoices.org