President Nguyen Xuan Phuc speaks at the event (Photo: VNA) Bangkok (VNA) – President Nguyen Xuan Phuc hasstated that trade and investment benefits must harmonise with responsibilityfor environment protection and green transformation, and promotion of sci-techand innovation.
Addressing the second sessionof the 29th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders’ Meeting in Bangkok on November19, President Phuc suggested APEC focus on ensuring an open, transparent andnon-discriminatory trade and investment environment through the seriousimplementation of free trade and investment protection agreements, togetherwith the removal of inappropriate technical barriers, supporting economies in reformand simplification of administrative procedures; ensuring continuity,reliability, sustainability and innovation of regional supply chains; andstepping up regional economic connectivity initiatives towards forming theAsia-Pacific Free Trade Area.
He called for aligning trade and investmentwith the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, encouraging trade in cleantechnology and agro-fisheries products that meet sustainability standards, and assistingfirms in applying for international-standard farming certifications.
Ininvestment, it is necessary to promote clean energy projects, sustainable infrastructure, climate change adaptation, smart agriculture, and resources for digitaltransformation, he said.
At the same time, APEC should train andre-train human resources, particularly high-quality workforce, to meetrequirements of the fourth Industrial Revolution, green and digital transformation.
At the event, leaders approved the BangkokGoals on Bio-Circular-Green Economic Model.
Concluding the event, theyadopted a Joint Declaration which underscores the determination to intensify cooperationin economic recovery; promoting balanced, sustainable, inclusive growth and comprehensiveconnectivity.
They also agreed to hold the30th APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting in the US next year./.
