Former Canadian Ambassador to Vietnam David Devine. (Photo: Internet) Ottawa (VNA) – Vietnam takes second place to no one in the organisation of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum, former Canadian Ambassador to Vietnam David Devine has told the Ottawa-based Vietnam News Agency correspondent.
He said hosting APEC 2017 is a great honour but also big responsibility for Vietnam. The country expects to welcome representatives from the 21 member economies and leading businesses in the region to discuss important issues in the Asian-Pacific region.
The diplomat highlighted APEC objectives, including the connection of member economies for mutual benefits.
He also anticipated difficulties, including trade protectionism, which need to be addressed.
For Vietnam, the country has gained achievements thanks to the implementation of the “Doi moi” (reform) policy since 1986, he said, adding that Vietnam has the strongest growth pace than any other country around the world.
He also called on APEC leaders to reiterate their commitments to fulfilling the Bogor goals for realising free and open trade in Asia-Pacific by 2020.
Established in 1989, APEC comprises 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.
The year 2017 sees the second time Vietnam has played host to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum after 19 years of being a member of the forum.
Themed “Creating New Dynamism, Fostering a Shared Future”, the APEC Year 2017 aims to seek dynamism for integration, connectivity, and economic growth and realise the long-term goals of “fostering a shared future” of peace, stability, development and prosperity.
The APEC Economic Leaders’ Week, the most important external event in Vietnam, is scheduled to take place in the central city of Da Nang from November 4-11 with the participation of leaders from the 21 member economies along with over 2,000 leading corporate executives and nearly 3,000 reporters in the region and around the world.-VNA
VNA
