The 21st World Economic Forum (WEF) on East Asia officially opened on May 31 in Thailand's capital city of Bangkok, setting its focus on establishing intra Asia connectivity so as to avert risks and challenges faced by the region.

The 21st World Economic Forum (WEF) on East Asia, Bangkok, May 31, 2012

Under the theme "Shaping the Region's Future through Connectivity", this year's forum attracts over 630 participants, some 200 more than expected, from 50 countries to share their views on regional cooperation, according to the organizer.

The participants include five heads of state or government, from Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam, and more than 450 business leaders together with other members of civil society and academia.

Addressing the forum, Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawattra urged East Asian countries to further enhance regional integration through connectivity.

"To address the challenges of global economic turmoil, we must continue to promote regional cooperation and integration. And the key to this is connectivity," Ms. Yingluck said.

The Thai PM called on countries in the region to join hands in completing both physical and soft connectivity network to ensure people and goods can move freely across border.

Centering on the topic of building up intra-Asia connectivity, the forum also integrates three sub-themes: rethinking regional models for a new global context, responding to a regional risk and realizing regional connectivity./.

Source: VGP News