All preparations for APEC 2017 now completed: Deputy FM

Hanoi (VNA) – All preparations for the APEC 2017 Economic Leaders’ Week have been already completed, ensuring the success of the most important political-diplomatic event of Vietnam this year.

Permanent Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Vice Chairman of the APEC 2017 National Committee Bui Thanh Son made the statement at a press briefing in Hanoi on November 2.

According to Son, the APEC 2017 Economic Leaders’ Week, themed “Creating New Dynamism, Fostering A Shared Future”, will take place in the central city of Da Nang from November 6-11. The event will bring together around 10,000 delegates from 21 APEC member economies.

President Tran Dai Quang will preside over and attend main activities during the Week, including the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC) Dialogue with APEC Leaders and the APEC – ASEAN Informal Dialogue on November 10, together with an official welcome ceremony for the APEC Economic Leaders and their spouses, and the Gala Dinner and Cultural Performance.

He will chair the 25th APEC Economic Leaders’ Retreat on November 11 and deliver an opening speech at the APEC CEO Summit slated for November 8-10.

President Tran Dai Quang’s spouse, Nguyen Thi Hien, will host the APEC Leaders’ Spouse Programme on November 11 in Da Nang and Hoi An city of neighbouring Quang Nam province.

The Vietnam Business Summit will be held on November 7 with Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc to attend and deliver a keynote speech.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh and Minister of Industry and Trade Tran Tuan Anh will co-chair the 29th APEC Ministerial Meeting (AMM) on November 8 while Permanent Deputy FM Bui Thanh Son, who is also APEC 2017 SOM Chair, will preside over the APEC Concluding Senior Officials’ Meeting (CSOM) on November 6-7.

[APEC 2017 links up Asia-Pacific economies together]

The ABAC will convene a meeting on November 4-6 and the APEC Voices of The Future will take place on November 6-10.

On the sidelines of the event, there will be many bilateral meetings between Vietnamese and APEC leaders which aim to enhance bilateral relations as well as cooperation within APEC, Deputy FM Son said.

The leaders of China, the US, Canada and Chile have affirmed to visit Vietnam on the occasion, he revealed.

A huge number of cooperation agreements and contracts are also expected to be signed between businesses of Vietnam and other APEC member economies during the Week, he added.

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

APEC represents about 39 percent of the world’s population and contributes 57 percent to global GDP and 49 percent of international trade.-VNA