Deputy Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son (Photo: VNA)Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnamcontributed responsibly to the 2018 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) EconomicLeaders’ Week in Papua NewGuinea from November 12-18, said DeputyForeign Minister Bui Thanh Son.
Son told the press that duringthe APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting on November 17-18, Prime Minister NguyenXuan Phuc proposed many plans aiming to enhance free and open trade andinvestment, and regional connectivity, and promote APEC’s role in intensifyingthe rules-based international order.
Vietnam also showed support for global institutions, an open,transparent, equal and non-discriminatory trading system, as well as the WTO’scentral role, Son said.
PM Phuc suggested APEC nurtureinnovative and creative initiatives to turn Asia-Pacific into a globaltechnological centre.
He also proposed developing thedigital economy, promoting innovative startups and building an innovative andcreative ecosystem in the region, the official added.
The PM stressed the need forAPEC to boost innovative and inclusive growth, implement the United NationsSustainable Development Goals (SDGs), put people at the centre of development,ensure food and water resources development and cope with climate change.
As Vietnam initiated the building ofthe APEC Post-2020 Vision, the leader also made suggestions towards theformation of an Asia-Pacific community of peace, stability, dynamism, inter-connectivityand prosperity, Son noted.
Regarding outcomes of the 26th APEC Economic Leaders’ Week, Son said member economies agreed to accelerate thecompletion of Bogor Goals on trade and investment liberalisation by 2020 andthe implementation of the APEC Connectivity Blueprint by 2025, promotee-commerce and services and settle non-tariff barriers, gearing towards theFree Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific (FTAAP).
They also consented to realisethe action programme on inclusive growth and the framework on human resourcesdevelopment in the digital era adopted in Vietnam’scentral provinceof Da Nang last year.
They displayed their support forsustainable, innovative and inclusive growth, the acceleration of structuralreform, micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, rural and urban developmentand women’s economic empowerment.
Several solutions to create anopen, accessible and safe environment for the digital economy were also setforth during the event.
Besides, delegates agreed topush ahead with the implementation of commitments reached in 2017 regarding thebuilding of the Post-2020 Vision, towards an Asia-Pacific community of peace,stability, dynamism and inter-connectivity.
However, there still remainedmajor gaps in viewpoints of some members on trade protection and themultilateral trading system, Son said, adding this was among the major reasonspreventing APEC leaders from reaching a joint statement.
Although the APEC leaders forthe first time failed to agree on a joint communiqué, member economiesexpressed their confidence in the crucial role of APEC, which has contributedto making Asia-Pacific a driving force of global growth and economic connectivity.
They are scheduled to gather in Santiago, Chile,in November 2019 for the 27th APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting.
During the APEC EconomicLeaders’ Week, PM Phuc met with many leaders of other APEC economies, and haddialogues with major businesses of the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC) andrepresentatives from the US-APEC Business Alliance.
On this occasion, Deputy PrimeMinister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh met New Zealand Minister for Tradeand Export Growth David Parker to hand over Vietnam’s document ratifying theComprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP)to him.
Minh also had meetings with his New Zealandcounterpart Winston Raymond Peters,and foreign ministers from some APEC member economies.
Son said the leaders affirmedtheir support for Vietnam’sbid to run for a non-permanent seat of the UN Security Council for the2020-2021 tenure.
Meanwhile, business leaders laudedVietnam’sincreasing role in regional and global production chains, as well as theVietnamese Government’s resolve to spur development and continue with reformsand international integration.
The enterprises said they willsoon operate in Vietnamor expand investment and business in the country, according to Son.-VNA
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