Scene of the meeting (Source: VNA)During the meeting, which was hosted by Vietnam’s Permanent Delegation to the United Nations, theWorld Trade Organisation (WTO) and other international organisations in Geneva,the delegates also discussed the agenda of APEC Year 2017 in Vietnam andGeneva.
Ambassador Duong Chi Dung, head of the Vietnamese delegation, stressed thathosting APEC Year 2017 is a priority in Vietnam’s external policy with the aimof promoting trade and investment liberalisation, business facilitation and regionalcooperation.
Vietnam has been making efforts to foster economic links bynegotiating and signing free trade agreements with most of APEC membereconomies, Dung said, affirming that the move showed Vietnam’s commitment toopenness and deeper integration into the regional and global economies.
Regarding the event’s theme of “Creating New Dynamism, Fostering a SharedFuture” , the ambassador said in the context of slow economic and trade growthin the region and the world, APEC needs to have “new dynamism” to promotegrowth and economic integration and reaffirm the forum’s role in shaping a “sharedfuture” for peace, stability, integration and prosperity.
According to Dung, Vietnam recommended four priorities to promote sustainable,innovative and inclusive growth; boosting regional economic connectivity, increasingcompetitiveness and creativity of micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises, enhancingfood security and sustainable agriculture, and adaptation to climate change.
During the year, Vietnam will chair more than 200 meetings, including eightmeetings among ministries and sectors, high-ranking dialogues and four meetingsof senior officials. The 25th APEC Economic Leaders' Week will take place in Da Nang city from November5-11.
Participants agreed that APEC needs to play an active role to supportmultilateral and free trade, affirming that APEC members are willing tocoordinate with the Vietnamese delegation in Geneva to build initiatives and contributeto the outcomes of APEC Year 2017.
They hoped that the success of APEC Year 2017 will contribute to the WTO’s 11th Ministerial Conference, which will takeplace in Argentina in December.-VNA
VNA
