Pano welcomes APEC 2017 in Da Nang city (Photo VNA)Hanoi (VNA) – Hosting theAsia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Forum for a second time shows thatVietnam is an active and responsible member of the group, making effectivecontributions to APEC’s development after 19 years of membership.
Vietnam’s admission to APEC in 1998 marked animportant milestone in the country’s external policy of expansion,diversification and multilateralisation of relations and international economicintegration.
APEC was the first economic cooperationmechanism in Asia-Pacific Vietnam joined after entering the “Doi moi” (reform)process, with a focus on long-term cooperation frameworks with partners in theregion.
Over the past 19 years, with the motto ofcooperating to jointly build a peaceful, stable, developing and prosperousAsia-Pacific community, Vietnam has proved an active member via promotingeconomic connectivity and reinforcing the regional multilateral trade system.
Vietnam has not only participated in APECcooperation programmes in various fields and implemented APEC cooperationcommitments but also put forth proposals and initiatives to facilitate tradeand investment in the region.
The country’s practical and remarkablecontributions to APEC during its 19-year membership have increased trust fromother economies. Notably, Vietnam made positive impressions during its firsttime hosting APEC in 2006, which mapped out long-term cooperation plans forAPEC, especially the Hanoi Action Plan to implement the Busan Roadmap towardsthe Bogor Goals on trade and investment liberalisation by 2020.
The hosting of APEC 2006 and other forums inrecent years has helped Vietnam gain experience in preparing for andcontributing ideas, initiatives and major orientations for the APEC Year 2017.
The country selected “Creating New Dynamism,Fostering a Shared Future” as the theme of APEC 2017 to promote growth viaextensive and intensive economic cooperation and integration in Asian-Pacific.
Vietnam proposed four main priorities, includingpromoting sustainable, innovative and inclusive growth; deepening regionaleconomic integration; strengthening competitiveness and innovation for micro-,small-and medium-sized enterprises in the digital age; and enhancing foodsecurity and sustainable agriculture in response to climate change.
The 25th APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting thisweek in the central coastal city of Da Nang will contribute to maintaining therole and position of APEC as well as building a self-reliant, dynamic andprosperous Asia-Pacific.
Established in 1989, the Asia-Pacific EconomicCooperation (APEC) forum comprises 21 economies, including Australia, Brunei,Canada, Chile, China, Hong Kong-China, Indonesia, Japan, the Republic of Korea,Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Peru, the Philippines, Russia,Singapore, Chinese Taipei, Thailand, the US, and Vietnam.
APEC represents about 39 percent of the world’spopulation and contributes 57 percent to global GDP and 49 percent ofinternational trade.-VNA
VNA
