This is one of Vietnam’s important and practical initiatives to continually promote the implementation of APEC 2017’s key deliverables on inclusion and human resource development in the digital age. The initiative co-sponsored by China, the United States, Japan, Russia, Chile, New Zealand, Chinese - Taipei was highly appreciated by APEC members. The initiative also aims to contribute to implementing one of APEC 2019’s priorities proposed by Chile on digital society and inclusive growth. At the opening session, Standing Vice Chairman of Quang Ninh Provincial People's Council Trinh Thi Minh Thanh highly appreciated the theme of the workshop, which is deeply affecting all aspects of life and society, especially women and girls in the context of Industry 4.0. She said that the workshop was a very good opportunity for line ministries, agencies and enterprises of Quang Ninh province to share experiences and exchange views with APEC members and international organizations on approaches and application of Industry 4.0., promoting sustainable and inclusive growth, improving digital skills training for women and girls. Addressing the workshop, the First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son stressed that as the premier regional economic forum, a driving force for global growth, integration and innovation in the 21st century, APEC is pioneering in implementing the development goals towards gender equality in the digital age. The First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son also said APEC has been contributing effectively to efforts towards gender equality. Its members consider female contribution a key solution to promoting sustainable and inclusive development to maintain dynamism and diversity in the region. He noted that in a digitalized world where 90 percent of future jobs require digital skills, equal access to technology and learning opportunities are a prerequisite for ensuring that women and girls benefit from Industry 4.0. This is also a critical measure to improve women’s economic empowerment for the sake of sustainable development. One of the key tasks now is training and re-training women and girls to equip them with technological knowledge and digital skills, enabling them to make full use of development opportunities in the 21st century. It is also necessary to seek solutions to narrow the gender gap, including the technology gap, eliminating gender discrimination, and removing relevant policy barriers so that women and girls can contribute equally and effectively to socio-economic development, Son added. At the workshop, participants, including representatives of APEC member economies and Quang Ninh officials, looked into employment opportunities and challenges facing women and girls amid Industry 4.0; the gender gap in the access to digital devices, technologies, and services; barriers to women and girls in the education of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics; and prospects of new technologies and social networks to empower women. They also discussed the enhancement of APEC’s efforts and put forth policy recommendations to bolster women and girls’ digital inclusion./.