Food security high on agenda of SOM1’s second session
The First APEC Senior Officials Meeting (SOM1) entered its second working day in the south central province of Khanh Hoa’s Nha Trang city on March 3 with a series of issues high on the agenda, including food security and clime change.
A delegate of the Republic of Korea speaks at the first APEC Senior Officials' Meeting on March 2 (Photo: VNA)
Khanh Hoa (VNA) – The First APEC SeniorOfficials Meeting (SOM1) entered its second working day in the south centralprovince of Khanh Hoa’s Nha Trang city on March 3 with a series of issues highon the agenda, including food security and clime change. During the course of the session, delegates from 21member economies of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Forum arescheduled to discuss the implementation of the Framework for Multi-Year APECProgramme on Food Security and Climate Change, and the APEC Strategic Frameworkon Rural-Urban Development to Strengthen Food Security and Inclusive Growth. They will also discuss the role of food markets inenhancing food security in the region as well as next steps to prepare for theAPEC Post-2020 Vision. The delegates are expected to hear the Budget andManagement Committee (BMC) Chair’s report on the outcomes of its first meetingand the committee’s priorities for APEC 2017. The APEC Executive Director is scheduled to presentthe APEC Secretariat’s Strategic Plan for 2017-2019, Operational Plan for 2017and a paper on communication, while the Chair of the Policy Support Unit (PSU)Board is to update on the PSU’s work programme. Also, the delegates will discuss Australia/Canada’sproposal on project reforms. Following the session, Deputy Foreign Minister, APEC2017 SOM Chair Bui Thanh Son will chair a press conference to inform about theoutcomes of SOM1. The APEC forum includes 21 members, namely 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 United States and Vietnam.-VNA
An APEC official said the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum should have a long-term vision and Vietnam has put forth various initiatives to help the forum keep its right track.
The first APEC Senior Officials Meeting (SOM1) kicked off in Nha Trang city, south central Khanh Hoa province, on March 2, with the attendance of delegates from 21 member economies of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Forum.
Continuing its agenda, the first Asia-Pacific Economic (APEC) Senior Officials Meeting (SOM1) will hear and discuss an array of reports during the March 2 afternoon session.
Senior officials from APEC member economies have highly evaluated and reaffirmed their support for the theme and priorities proposed by the host country Vietnam for APEC Year 2017.
The visits reflected the elevated position of Vietnam’s foreign policy in the new era—aimed at not only advancing ties with key regional partners like Egypt and Angola but also delivering a strategic message about Vietnam’s commitment to deepening relations with African nations as a whole.
At their talks and meetings, President Cuong and Angola’s top leaders affirmed that the close brotherhood and traditional friendship are a valuable shared asset and a solid foundation for the two nations to advance into a new phase of development.
The ruling People’s Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) attaches great importance to the friendship, solidarity, and comradeship with the Communist Party of Vietnam, and voiced her Party’s wish to further deepen and expand relations between the two sides for the benefit of the Vietnamese and Angolan people.
Vietnam pledges to do its utmost to build an ASEAN of solidarity, consensus, and unity in diversity, and to foster a fast and sustainable development path for ASEAN, grounded in science, technology, and innovation, said Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh.
Party General Secretary To Lam called on the criminal police force to accelerate the application of science, technology, artificial intelligence, and digital transformation in criminal investigation tasks such as crime prevention, detection, tracking and verification, ensuring that no area remains out of their reach.
Many Koreans living, studying, and working in Hanoi see the upcoming state visit to the Republic of Korea (RoK) by Party General Secretary To Lam as an opportunity to generate strong synergy in economic cooperation, people-to-people exchanges, and cultural understanding.
The achievements of the five decades of Vietnam–Angola cooperation provide a strong and enduring foundation, as well as momentum for the two sides to consolidate, expand, and bring their partnership into a new phase of development.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh stressed that the emulation and commendation work is a vital driver, fostering patriotism, dedication, and collective momentum in the run-up to the 11th National Patriotic Emulation Congress, Party congresses at all levels, and the 14th National Party Congress.
Emphasising the need for sustainable, long-term collaboration, National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man called on Japanese investors not only to bring in capital but also to share expertise and modern technology, especially in areas such as green transformation, the circular economy, and advanced corporate governance.
President Luong Cuong's activities during his state visit to Angola, the celebration of the financial sector's 80th traditional day, and the Foreign Ministry's flag-hoisting ceremony marking the 58th founding anniversary of ASEAN are among news highlights on August 8.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Thailand Pham Viet Hung praised the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ meaningful initiative, noting that the ASEAN Family Run was not only a sporting activity but also an opportunity for diplomats and their families to show unity, connection, and solidarity within the ASEAN family.
Politburo member, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on August 8 attended the first congress of the Party Organisation of Tay Ho ward of Hanoi for the 2025–2030 term, during which he called for fresh momentum to turn the ward into a model that takes the lead in all fields.
The size of the economy increased from over 5 billion USD in 1986 to over 476 billion USD by 2024, making Vietnam the fourth-largest economy in Southeast Asia and the 34th largest in the world.
The ASEAN flag-hoisting ceremony is observed by the 10 ASEAN member countries on August 8 every year, aiming to spread and promote the ASEAN identity and affirm the determination to unite and cooperate for the common aspiration of long-term peace and prosperity of Southeast Asian countries under the common roof of the ASEAN Community.
Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Nguyen Manh Cuong highlighted ASEAN’s nearly six decades of development, during which the region transformed from division to harmony, from confrontation to cooperation, and from poverty to dynamic growth, becoming a global bright spot for regional cooperation.
Thirty years ago, on July 28, 1995, Vietnam’s accession to ASEAN marked a historic strategic decision, opening a new chapter in the country’s integration process and beginning its strong rise.
Ambassador Vu Le Thai Hoang has outlined specific priorities and proposals for cooperation with the UNODA in preparation for the upcoming 11th Review Conference of the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT).
The Vietnamese Party leader's visit is therefore expected to mark a new stage in the development of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two countries, with a focus on such areas as digital transformation, supply chains, semiconductors, clean energy, and maritime security, Choe assessed.
At their meeting, which took place in the Angolan capital of Luanda on August 7 as part of State President Luong Cuong’s ongoing state visit to the African nation, the two officials also agreed to make full use of existing cooperation mechanisms, particularly the Vietnam – Angola Intergovernmental Committee, and step up exchanges of delegations at all levels.
President Luong Cuong's talks with his Angolan counterrpart João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço, Vietnamese leader's receptions for a delegation from the Japan – Vietnam Parliamentary Friendship Alliance, and the Government's regular meeting for July are among news highlights on August 7 evening.
A delegate of the Republic of Korea speaks at the first APEC Senior Officials' Meeting on March 2 (Photo: VNA) 
