Washington D.C., (VNA) – VietnameseAmbassador to the US Pham Quang Vinh introduced the Asia-Pacific EconomicCooperation (APEC) 2017 hosted by Vietnam at the fifth annual AsianArchitecture Conference recently held in the US.

He said from the beginning of this year, Vietnamhas proactively coordinated with member partners and business community topromote cooperation for growth and expand investment, trade, integration andsustainable development in the Asia-Pacific region.

With the theme “Creating new dynamism, fosteringa shared future”, Vietnam has been hosting nearly 200 meetings at all levelswithin the APEC framework, focusing on four priorities: promoting sustainable,innovative and inclusive growth; deepening regional economic integration;strengthening micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) competitiveness andinnovation in the digital age; and enhancing food security and sustainableagriculture in response to climate change.

The meetings’ outcomes are important preparationsfor the APEC Economic Leaders’ Week and related meetings in November in thecentral city of Da Nang, which is expected to map out development orientationsfor APEC in the coming time, especially how to maintain economic cooperation,expand trade and investment, and increase regional connectivity.

Over the past time, Vietnam has coordinated withother APEC member economies and businesses in putting forth important proposalsand initiatives to bring new momentum to APEC and regional cooperation.

Vietnam welcomes and highly values theparticipation of top leaders from APEC member economies, Vinh said, adding thatthe success of the APEC Economic Leaders’ Week will contribute to peace,stability, development and prosperity in the region.

Co-president of the parliamentary groupsupporting APEC at the US House of Representatives Rick Larsen said APEC playsa significant role in the US’ foreign policy in the region, especially afterthe country’s withdrawal from the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP).

US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State MattMatthews affirmed that the US President Donald Trump’s announcement toparticipate in the APEC Economic Leaders’ Week in Vietnam reaffirms the US’commitments to the Asian-Pacific region and its desire to promote cooperationwith APEC in various fields, including digital trade, removal of tradebarriers, improvement of science-technology capacity, and enhancement ofwomen’s role in economy. 

Along with APEC, the Association of SoutheastAsian Nations (ASEAN) is an important partner of the US in the region, he said,adding that the US hopes the two sides will continue implementing the US-ASEANConnectivity initiative as well as promote bilateral trade and investmentpartnership.

Established in 1989, APEC comprises 21economies, including Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, China, Hong Kong,Indonesia, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, PapuaNew Guinea, Peru, the Philippines, Russia, Singapore, Chinese Taipei, Thailand,the US, and Vietnam.

The APEC Economic Leaders’ Week 2017 isscheduled to take place in Vietnam’s central city of Da Nang from November 6-11with the participation of leaders from the 21 member economies.-VNA