CSOM opens APEC 2017 Economic Leaders’ Week in Da Nang
The Concluding Senior Officials’ Meeting (CSOM) convened in the central city of Da Nang on November 6, kicking off the APEC 2017 Economic Leaders’ Week.
Scene at the APEC Concluding Senior Officials’ Meeting (Photo: VNA)
Da Nang (VNA) – The Concluding Senior Officials’ Meeting (CSOM) convened inthe central city of Da Nang on November 6, kicking off the APEC 2017 EconomicLeaders’ Week.
The two-day meeting is chaired by Bui Thanh Son, Vietnamese Deputy Minister ofForeign Affairs and APEC 2017 SOM Chair.
In hisopening remark, Son said this year presented both difficulties andopportunities to APEC cooperation. “Butthe good thing is that even facing such difficulties, we have managed to securemany important results, such as maintaining the momentum of cooperation andreaching convergences in a wide range of issues to boost this year’s prioritiesand support other APEC ongoing works,” he said.
“We have greatly benefited from the active engagement and contributions of allmember economies and other stakeholders to advance this APEC process in ourdesigned direction,” he added.
The meeting will focus on two key objectives: reviewing the progress of APEC cooperationthis year to be reported to APEC leaders, and finalising the APEC MinisterialMeeting (AMM) statement and the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting (AELM) Declaration.
He urged seniorofficials to use this meeting in the most constructive way to discuss all standingissues.
The SOM1 was held in the central province of Khanh Hoa in February while theSOM2 took place in Hanoi in May and the SOM3 in Ho Chi Minh City in September.
The APEC Economic Leaders’ Week,taking place from November 6-11 is expected to draw about 10,000 delegates fromthe 21 APEC member economies.
Established in 1989, APEC comprises 21 economies, including Australia, Brunei,Canada, Chile, China, Hong Kong (China), Indonesia, Japan, the Republic ofKorea, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Peru, the Philippines,Russia, Singapore, Chinese Taiwan, Thailand, the US, and Vietnam.
The APEC represents 39 percent of theworld population, 57 percent of the world GDP and 47 percent of the totaltrade.-VNA
The APEC Concluding Senior Officials’ Meeting (CSOM) is taking place in the central city of Da Nang on November 6-7 with the participation of representatives from all 21 APEC economies.
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Vietnam plays an important role in Southeast Asia’s economic growth and is a key partner of her country in realising the shared vision of a peaceful, stable, and prosperous region, said Robyn Mudie, First Assistant Secretary of Office of Southeast Asia (OSA) – Southeast Asia Regional and Mainland Division at Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).
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Indonesian Ambassador Rina P. Soemarno, who currently serves as Chair of the ASEAN Committee in Prague, emphasised the spirit of regional solidarity and cooperation, and the importance of enhancing ASEAN–Czech Republic relations.
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Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira has outlined a six-point strategy to promote innovation, support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and push for Thailand's removal from the US Trade Representative (USTR)’s special 301 Watch List regarding intellectual property rights protection among trading partners.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Israel Ly Duc Trung emphasised ASEAN’s central role in regional mechanisms such as the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) and the East Asia Summit (EAS), highlighting its significant contribution to promoting peace, stability, and prosperity in Southeast Asia.
The consumer index of the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC), fell to 51.7 in July from 52.7 in the previous month. The sluggish economy and the trade war, as well as high living costs, continue to undermine confidence, the university said.
Deputy Speaker of the Hungarian National Assembly Istvan Jakab expressed his hope for further deepening Hungary’s ties with ASEAN countries and called for their support for Hungary’s accession to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia.
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Scene at the APEC Concluding Senior Officials’ Meeting (Photo: VNA) 
