Hanoi (VNA) – The second plenary session of the 26th Annual Meeting of theAsia – Pacific Parliamentary Forum (APPF-26) took place on January 19afternoon to discuss economic and trade matters.

Inhis keynote remarks, Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister Vuong Dinh Hue said inover half a century, the Asia - Pacific has thrived to become a driver of globaleconomic growth, thanks in part to extensive economic linkages and making themost of the potential, advantages, and the importance of the agriculturalsector and the network of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

Henoted that efforts to increase regional trade and economic integration haveproduce important result, including the signing and implementation of manybilateral and multilateral FTAs.

“Vietnam has chosen international economic integration as the centre point of itsefforts to actively integrate economically,” the Deputy PM said, adding that “thesuccess of APEC 2017 in Vietnam is also a vivid manifestation of the vitalityof cooperation and regional economic integration.”

Highlightingchallenges posed by rising protectionism and differing views on integration andglobalisation, Hue pointed to new cooperation areas such as value chains, integration,competition, e-commerce, saying they would bring about greater benefits fromregional economic integration.

“Weshould take concrete actions to improve connectivity, similar to APEC’s andASEAN’s initiative, focusing on three priorities: infrastructure, human, andinstitutions. Parliaments play an important part in this process as nationallegislative bodies,” the official stated.

Vietnam's Deputy Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son delivered a report on theresults of the 2017 APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting, which took place in thecentral city of Da Nang in November last year.

Talkingabout the relationship between the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) andAPPF, Canadian Senator Yuen Paul Woo said to boost connectivity between the twoforums, there is a need to develop a secretariat mechanism and each nationought to put into actions agendas adopted at these forums.

Hesaid countries should learn from Vietnam’ example of closely organising the twoevents so that their relevant points could be integrated together.    

Atthe session, participants focused on economic cooperation in the Asia-Pacificregion. Their debate provided a parliamentary perspective on and contributionto efforts in the region targeting the expansion of trade, investment, peace,stability, prosperity and sustainable development, which revolves around theagenda of APEC Summit 2017.

Theytalked about the role of parliaments in promoting economic links intensivelyand comprehensively, food security and sustainable agricultural development, andsupport for MSMEs in the digitalage.

NurhayatiAli Assegaf, Chairperson of Indonesia’s Committee of Inter-ParliamentaryCooperation, suggested parliaments support the promotion of people-to-peoplediplomacy, opening of direct air routes, and simplification of visa procedures. 

She said gender equalitypromotion could have positive impact on GDP growth.

Shesuggested APPF members make efforts to improve the role of MSMEs and othereconomic sectors for extensive and equal economic integration.

MasazumiGotoda, member of House of Representatives at the Nation Diet of Japan,said parliaments should play their inspection role to ensure the effectiveimplementation of policies for economic growth related to currency and economiccooperation, among others.

Healso suggested the building of a high-quality workforce for the digital age, andwomen empowerment, noting that fair competition is necessary for free trade.

AustralianSenator John Williams said food security should concern the quality of soil andwater, which can foster better nutrient sources that help people becomehealthier.

Hestressed the importance of sharing knowledge among nations for common benefitsand prosperity.

TheAPPF-26 will mull over regional cooperation in Asia-Pacific, and the future ofAPPF in its last two plenary sessions on January 20.

Foundedin Tokyo, Japan in 1993, the APPF now gathers 27 members, namely Australia,Cambodia, Canada, China, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Fiji, Indonesia,Japan, Laos, Malaysia, the Marshall Islands, Mexico, Micronesia, Mongolia, NewZealand, Papua New Guinea, Peru, the Philippines, the Republic of Korea,Russia, Singapore, Thailand, the US and Vietnam.

Itis a mechanism that enables parliamentarians to discuss issues of commonconcern, and to deepen their understanding of the region and the interests andexperience of its diverse members. The forum’s proceedings address political,security, economic, social and cultural issues, thus furthering regionalcooperation and building relations between and among parliamentarians from theAsia-Pacific region.-VNA