The third APEC air cargo security workshop opened in Ho Chi Minh City on April 19, drawing the participation of over 100 delegates from 21 APEC economic members, international organisations and regional airlines.

The workshop, a follow-up of the last two workshops, in Thailand in 2008 and Singapore in 2010, aims to review issues for ensuring air cargo security and propose measures to further strengthen regional cooperation in the field.

Assistant to the Vietnamese Foreign Minister Nguyen Ngoc Son stressed that the workshop is one of the first steps in vital APEC cooperation adopted by senior leaders, including the new growth strategy, the strategy on trade safety and anti-terrorism and the action plan on facilitation of travel for passengers and cargo.

As a member of ASEAN, APEC and other regional mechanisms, Vietnam has continued to participate in cooperative programmes, contributing to joint efforts to strengthen linkages and economic connectivity and create a safe and favourable environment for trade and investment, he said.

Ambassador Muhamad Noor Yacob, Executive Director of the APEC Secretariat, affirmed APEC’s potential to boost cooperation in aviation security, describing it as a significant step towards the promotion of economic development and increased linkages.

He stressed the APEC Secretariat’s readiness to support and work closely with members to implement specific cooperative programmes and initiatives in the area.

Addressing the workshop, a representative from Vietnam National Civil Aviation Security Committee noted aviation security is a field of interest for Vietnam , adding that the country actively participates in international cooperation within bilateral and multilateral frameworks, including APEC, in order to ensure aviation security in the region.

At the workshop, APEC members discussed the creation of policies and application of programmes to ensure air cargo security, technological solutions and initiatives on air cargo security, plus measures to increase cooperation among APEC and between APEC and concerned international organisations.

The workshop’s common report with key recommendations is expected to be adopted at the end of the event on April 20. The report will be submitted to the second APEC senior officials’ meeting scheduled for next month in Russia and the 24 th APEC foreign and economic ministers’ meeting in Russia in September.-VNA