Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son (Source: VNA)Hanoi (VNA) - Meticulous preparations have been made for the 25th Asia- Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit, which is hosted by Vietnam in 2017, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son said at a forum held in Hanoi on December 16.
In his opening remarks at the event, Son highlighted that since its establishment in 1989, APEC has maintained its leading role in bolstering cooperation, integration and development in the Asia-Pacific region.
This economic cooperation forum has brought practical benefits to 40 percent of the world population while representing 57 percent of global GDP and 49 percent of world trade, Son said, adding that APEC has affirmed its great significance to Vietnam’s innovation process, international integration and development.
He underscored that the APEC zone accounts for 68 percent of Vietnamese exports, 82 percent of imports, 82 percent of foreign capital poured into Vietnam, and nearly 80 percent of foreign visitors to the country.
According to the Deputy Minister, the APEC Year in 2017 is one of the top priorities in Vietnam’s diplomatic policies until 2020.
He said that together with activities of ASEAN, the United Nations and the World Trade organisation, the APEC Year in 2017 is a compelling evidence for Vietnam’s policies to promote comprehensive international integration and multi-lateral external relations.
Participants at the event discussed measures to lift up APEC’s role and joint efforts made for the APEC Year 2017.
As a multilateral forum, APEC provides its 21 member economies, along with business community and other parties, an avenue to rave about issues that impact the Asia- Pacific region.
Joining the forum in November 1998, Vietnam successfully hosted APEC 2006 and the sixth APEC Human Resources Development Ministerial Meeting in September, 2014.-VNA
