Chinese Kung Fu charms Silicon Valley
Tranquil Yankou ancient town
Lake Geneva: A show of swans
Beautiful sunset over the Irtysh River
Qingjing Mosque: Witness of the ancient Maritime Silk Road
Neiliansheng – more than 100 years of fashion
Golden retriever feeds baby African lions
Strange rocks in Lama Mountain
First overseas "China-standard" electric railway laid
College graduate launches organic agricultural cooperative in hometownMANILA, May 23 -- The 23rd World Economic Forum (WEF) on East Asia wrapped up here on Friday, following three days of discussions on how to address inequality and ensure economic growth in the face of destructive "mega-disasters."
James T. Riady, chief executive officer of Indonesia-based Lippo Group and co-chair of WEF on East Asia, said the meeting highlighted the urgent need to close gaps in income and wealth distribution.
"These gaps may endanger the progress we have made. Inclusiveness is a big issue," said Riady during the closing plenary which assessed the outcome of the meeting.
Atsutoshi Nishida, chairman of the Board of Toshiba Corp. and also co-chair of WEF on East Asia, said the region must prepare for disasters and develop new solutions to make it risk-resilient.
"This meeting has allowed us to define some new directions. It has been a fruitful meeting," said Nishida.
In a session on Friday morning, panelists noted that Southeast Asia faces "unique" climate-related challenges, given its vulnerability to extreme weather and rising sea levels.
In the past, climate conversations have been confined to countries' environment ministries and within environmental advocacy groups. However, panelists said the effects of an anticipated 3 to 4 degrees Celsius of global warming are so pervasive that they require a broader governmental, private sector and civil society approach.
Yolanda Kakabadse, president of World Wildlife Fund International and co-chair of WEF on East Asia, said addressing the problems that confront the region should increasingly involve the youth.
The 24th WEF on East Asia will be held in Bali, Indonesia next year.
Opening ceremony of 67th Cannes Film Festival
Pulse of Xiamen - Int'l Yoga art festival in May
Photo story: Life of a scrap metal recycle worker
Training of the PLA's first female honor guard
China's 10 must-see animations
Female bodybuilders show their beauty of fitness
A taste of Harbin cuisine
A bite of Jiang Nan
Who is China's campus beauty queen?
8 great movies to watch with your mom
China's most luminous celebrities
Newly recruited police in Hetian hold drill
Bird-men compete flying in Hong Kong
The 'Chinese Dad'
Shanghai locals bid farewell to childhood memoriesDay|Week|Month