President urges thorough preparation for APEC 2017

Hanoi (VNA) – President Tran Dai Quang has urged the National Committee for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum to forge ahead with thorough preparations in all aspects to meet the expectation of other member economies for Vietnam as the host of the APEC Year 2017.

He made the request at the committee’s eighth plenary session held in Hanoi on June 22.

President Quang hailed ministries, relevant departments and localities for preparing the APEC Year 2017 in a synchronous, active and prompt manner, which contributed to the successful organisation of three ministerial-level and four senior official meetings in the first half of this year.

In the context of regional and global complicated developments, it is necessary to recognise and seize active trends and huge opportunities to implement the targets set by the Party and State in hosting APEC 2017, he said.

Vietnam needs to promote the active and proactive role as the host of APEC 2017 – an important economic forum in the region that plays a crucial role in terms of strategy, economics, politics and security, he added.

Particularly, activities held during the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting slated for November in the central coastal city of Da Nang are intended to increase Vietnam’s prestige and boost regional economic connectivity as well as further deepen the relations among APEC member economies, he stressed.

It is necessary to take this occasion to promote the national strength, potential and economic cooperation, he noted.

In addition to speeding up infrastructure preparation and increasing communications to popularise the land, people and culture of Vietnam, it is important to ensure absolute safety and security for the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting, he said.

The President ordered to boost the participation of people and businesses in preparation work for and organisation of APEC activities, including the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh, who is also Chairman of the APEC National Committee, said the committee will do its utmost to ensure the pace and quality of the preparation for the APEC Year 2017.

The ninth plenary session of the APEC National Committee is scheduled to take place in September 2017.

Vietnam is hosting the APEC Year 2017 under the theme “Creating new dynamism, fostering a shared future.” The country has selected four priorities for APEC cooperation as promoting sustainable, innovative and inclusive growth; deepening regional economic integration; strengthening micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises (MSMS)’s competitiveness and innovation in the digital age; and enhancing food security and sustainable agriculture in response to climate change.

Established in 1989, APEC comprises 21 economies, including Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Peru, the Philippines, Russia, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, the US and Vietnam.-VNA