Around 150 Vietnamese and international delegates are gathering in Hanoi ahead of the “APEC in the 21st Century Asia-Pacific” Conference on November 15.

 

Attendees will include United Nations Deputy Secretary General and Executive Secretary of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific Noeleen Heyzer, former Deputy Prime Minister Vu Khoan, former Australian Foreign Minister Alaxander Downer, APEC senior officials, APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC) representatives, the APEC Secretariat Executive Director, and leading regional experts.

Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh will chair the conference and deliver a keynote address.

The conference aims to highlight Vietnam’s promotion of active international integration, recognizing the importance of APEC and other mechanisms for Asia-Pacific cooperation.

Discussions will focus on real assessments of APEC’s role and prospects and regional economic connectivity trends. It coincides with the 15th anniversary of Vietnam’s APEC membership (November 15, 1998–November 15 2013).

The conference will review Vietnam’s participation in the organisation and seek suggestions for improving operational efficiency as it prepares to host the 25th APEC Leaders’ Meeting in 2017.

Vietnam’s APEC contributions

Vietnam’s entry to APEC in 1998 was an important element of a foreign policy guided by openness, diversification, and multilateralisation.

The country has served responsively and responsibly, its numerous positive contributions to APEC cooperation reflected in successfully chairing the organisation in 2006. It also hosted the 14th APEC Leaders’ Meeting and the 18th APEC Ministerial Meeting of foreign and economic/trade ministers.

Vietnam has participated in more than 100 events and defined a long-term outlook towards a Free Trade Agreement of the Asia-Pacific region, pursuing Bogor goals, and a series of significant reforms.

Its tenures in key APEC positions include Vice Chair of the Trade and Investment Committee in 2006, President of the Small and Medium-Sized Enterprise working group, Chair of the Budget Management Committee in 2007, Vice Chair of the Health Working Group for the 2009–2010 term, and Chair of the Emergency Preparedness Working Group for the 2012–2013 term.

Vietnam has also successfully implemented initiatives on sea search and rescue, energy technology development, and business natural disaster preparedness.

APEC fully supports Vietnam’s bid to host the APEC Leaders’ Meeting for the second time in 2017. Its commitment is yet another step in its international integration and will define its long-term Asia-Pacific vision.

Hosting the meeting shows Vietnam’s recognition and perpetuation of APEC’s role in building a 21st century Asia Pacific characterized by resilience, dynamism, and prosperity.

VOV