The Government leader stressed that APEC is an important economic cooperation mechanism for Vietnam and the Asia-Pacific region. Hosting APEC 2017 events is a new step forward in Vietnam’s active international integration process and to enhance its multilateral diplomacy, contributing to boosting socio-economic development and promoting the country’s image, he said, adding that this will also offer Vietnam a chance to intensify its bilateral relations with APEC partners. He asked committee members to make every effort to ensure the successful organization of events under the APEC framework throughout the year while requesting the committee establish five sub-committees and a Secretariat and put them into operation as soon as possible to carry out specific agendas.
The PM also asked for the establishment of a communication campaign on APEC 2017 activities to promote Vietnam’s land and people as well as its potential and advantages for economic development. Immediately after the debut ceremony, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh, who is the national committee’s Director, chaired the committee’s first plenary meeting to specify major tasks and working plans for 2015 and beyond in preparation for the APEC 2017. He called for ideas and initiatives for APEC 2017 while asking agencies and localities involved to prepare infrastructure facilities and strengthen the participation of the business community in APEC.
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. Vietnam joined the forum in November 1998 and hosted APEC 2006 and the 6th APEC Human Resources Development Ministerial Meeting in September 2014.
