Port Moresby (VNA) – The Asia-Pacific, and inparticular the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), has remained a focusof Vietnam’s foreign policy, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister PhamBinh Minh said at the 30th Ministerial Meeting in Port Moresby, Papua NewGuinea, on November 15. 

This year marks the 20th anniversary of Vietnam’s APECmembership. Therefore, the country will continue to work together with othermembers to build an Asia-Pacific community of peace, stability, dynamism,inclusion, connectivity, and prosperity, he said.

Over the past nearly three decades, APEC has proven its strongvitality, especially during difficult periods, he said, adding that in 2017,APEC affirmed its core values in free and open trade and investment, as well asits strong commitments to multilateral trade.

It has made marked progress in economic linkage, regionalconnectivity, quality and inclusive growth, and human resources development, theofficial noted.  

Given the increased connectivity of the digital era, heunderlined the need for APEC to carry forward its locomotive role in spurringsustainable, innovative and inclusive growth, as well as economic connectivityin the region.

Minh also highlighted APEC’s role in trade and investmentconnectivity and liberalisation and the settlement of global challenges.

APEC should take the lead in coordinating regional multi-layeredeconomic connectivity mechanisms towards the formation of a Free Trade Area ofthe Asia-Pacific (FTAAP) and promoting an open and transparent multilateraltrading system based on the law, balance, and inclusion – with the World TradeOrganisation (WTO) playing the central role, the official said.

He urged APEC to continue performing its role as a pioneerin structural reform, setting up central networks and innovative incubators,and promoting the business and startup spirit in order to turn the Asia-Pacificinto the world’s leading centre of technology and education.

APEC also needs to take decisive steps towards implementingthe action plan on inclusive growth and enhance the capacity for its members toaccess digital technology, adapt to and cope with changes and risks, and harnesscooperation and connectivity.

Deputy PM and FM Minh called for joint efforts within APECto build a strategic and ambitious Post-2020 Vision which aims to serve the benefitsof people and businesses.

In his opening remarks, Papua New Guinea’s Minister of ForeignAffairs and Trade Rimbing Pato said that with the theme “Harnessing InclusiveOpportunities, Embracing the Digital Future”, the 30th APEC Ministerial Meetingis of great significance as it will review the APEC’s realisation ofcommitments over the past years and set forth measures to bolster regionaleconomic connectivity and growth, and maintain the Asia-Pacific’s role asmomentum of global growth and economic connectivity.

The participating ministers agreed on the need for APEC tomaintain its economic cooperation and pace of connectivity, as well as deployopen and free trade and investment, complete Bogor goals in 2020 and gearingtowards the formation of the FTAAP.

They committed to realising the APEC Connectivity Blueprint,focusing on infrastructure and supply chain connectivity, institutions, andpeople, among others.

The ministers consented to accelerate the implementation of theCross-Border E-commerce Facilitation Framework and the Internet and DigitalEconomy Roadmap adopted in 2017, while handling non-tariff barriers and helpingmicro-, small-, and medium-sized enterprises improve their competitiveness andaccess the digital economy.

They concurred to continue their support for the law-basedopen and transparent trading system, and improve the function and operationalefficiency of the WTO.

The ministers also highly valued the role and contributionsof APEC to the implementation of the United Nations Sustainable DevelopmentGoals.

They welcomed the establishment of the APEC Vision Group in2018 and reiterated their commitments to building a strategic, long-term, andambitious APEC Post-2020 Vision for the benefits of people and businesses.-VNA