Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh chairs the session (Source: VNA) The National Committee for the organisation of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum in Vietnam in 2017 convened its 2 nd plenary session in Hanoi on October 22 to review preparations across sectors.
Under the chair by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh, sub-committee officials reported on preparations in material facilities, communications and culture, protocol, security, and health services.
The Deputy PM praised Ministries and sectors and the municipal authorities for their cooperation and direction for harmoniously carrying out main works, ensuring the approved preparation roadmap for the event on schedule.
He asked Ministries and sectors to work closely together and cooperate with the hosts of APEC 2015 - the Philippines and APEC 2016 - Peru, and the APEC Secretariat, to make contributions to promoting regional connection and development.
According to the Deputy PM, hosting APEC 2017 is one of the most important diplomatic events that Vietnam has taken on to realise its extensive international integration goal.
Ministries, sectors, agencies and localities are required to do their utmost to ensure the event will be successful.
In the remaining months of this year, the National Committee and its member agencies should accelerate the completion of works designated for 2015 while calling for assistance and coordination from APEC’s member economies to make the best preparations for APEC 2017, Deputy PM Minh stressed.
Established in November 1989, APEC now comprises 21 economies, representing around 39 percent of the world’s population, 57 percent of total global GDP and 47 percent of international trade.
Since joining the forum in November 1998, Vietnam has made a number of significant contributions, including the successful organisation of APEC 2006 and the 6th APEC Human Resources Development Ministerial Meeting in September 2014.
The National Committee for APEC 2017, which was set up under the Prime Minister’s Decision No. 1082/QD-TTg dated July 16, 2015, is led Deputy PM and FM Pham Binh Minh. It consists of five sub-committees in charge of content, logistics, health and safety, communications and protocol.
The third session of the Committee is slated for this December.-VNA
