Speakers share their insights on issues concerning the future of ASEAN at the 2019 ASEAN Community Leadership and Partnership Forum held on June 23-24.  (VENUS O/ CHINA DAILY)

ASEAN countries need to work together to unleash the potential of technology to develop the digital economy, create new business opportunities and spur regional growth.

This was discussed by speakers at a China Daily Asia Leadership Roundtable panel session in Bangkok on June 24, as part of the 2019 ASEAN Community Leadership and Partnership Forum.

Held on June 23-24 in conjunction with the 34th ASEAN Summit in Bangkok, the forum was organized jointly by Kingsley Strategic Institute in Malaysia, the ASEAN Business Advisory Council, the ASEAN Studies Center of Chulalongkorn University, and Bangkok-based organizations Nation-Building Institute and Asia Centre. The forum’s theme was Building Partnerships for a Sustainable and Inclusive ASEAN.

New technologies such as 5G will create opportunities for the ASEAN digital economy, said Dar Wong, executive vice-president of the ASEAN-China Commerce Association.

ASEAN, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, is a regional group comprising 10 member countries – Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, the Philippines, Laos and Vietnam. Thailand is the chair of ASEAN this year.

“ASEAN cannot deny that it will be influenced by 5G,” said Wong, adding that with the rolling out of the new generation of mobile technology, everything, from work environment to security systems, will become obsolete and people should be aware of new things to emerge soon.