APEC seeks to foster economic, technical cooperation
The SOM Steering Committee on Economic and Technical Cooperation (SCE) – Committee of the Whole (COW) convened its meeting in Nha Trang city, south central province of Khanh Hoa, on February 28.
A meeting at APEC SOM-1 (Illustrative image. Source: VNA)
Khanh Hoa (VNA) – As partof the first APEC Senior Officials Meeting (SOM1) and related meetings, the SOMSteering Committee on Economic and Technical Cooperation (SCE) – Committee ofthe Whole (COW) convened its meeting in Nha Trang city, south central provinceof Khanh Hoa, on February 28. In his opening remarks, VietnamesePermanent Deputy Foreign Minister and APEC 2017 SOM Chair Bui Thanh Son said builton the overarching theme of "Creating New Dynamism, Fostering a Shared Future"as well as the outcomes and deliverables from the past years, and after carefulconsultation with member economies, Vietnam has proposed four priorities for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Year 2017. According to the Deputy Minister, thefirst priority is to promote sustainable, innovative and inclusive growth.Structural reform and innovation play a significant role in bolstering growthand improving productivity. Human resource development, education, lifelong learning and re-skilling in particular, willbe crucial to ensure all segments of our societies can actively participate inthe workforce and benefit from the technological revolution. The second priority is on regionaleconomic integration and connectivity. It is important for APEC to acceleratethe realisation of the Bogor Goals of free and open trade and investment inAsia Pacific with a new sense of urgency. APEC needs to fulfill the unfinishedbusinesses to achieve the Bogor Goals. At the same time, APEC needs to envisionits future and role in the region and the world. Son stressed that the APEC members needto reaffirm its support to the multilateral trading system, and implement theLima Declaration on the Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific (FTAAP). It is alsoimportant to continue implementation of the APEC Connectivity Blueprint, enhance global value chains and supportingindustries, and facilitate cross-border e-commerce, investment and services. The third priority is to help createdynamism for micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) - a key driverof the region's growth, which account for about 97 percent of the total numberof APEC businesses. The APEC members should seek ways to make value chains moreinclusive, with greater participation of MSMEs, focus on creating a more enablingbusiness environment for MSMEs in the digital age and promote start-ups andinnovative MSMEs, Son said. Improving food security and achievesustainable agriculture is the fourth priority for APEC 2017. This is thesecond goal of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The transfer and applicationof technology will be crucial to improving agricultural productivity andresilience to climate change. The APEC members will need to collaborate tosustainably manage resources, including water, while pursuing existing effortsrelated to the food market and sustainable and inclusive development of ruralareas. The diplomat went on to say that thesepriorities are aligned with the medium-term priorities the SCE has establishedfor the 2015 – 2019 period. As a SOM-level Committee, Son said, the SCE plays avery important role in overseeing the efficient functioning of all its workinggroups and forums, enhancing cross-forum collaboration to better addresscross-cutting issues, as well as steering the APEC work on Ecotech. The four priorities of APEC 2017 containlots of cross-cutting issues, which require close collaboration among relevantAPEC committees, working groups and forum. Therefore, very much count on thesupport and contribution of the SCE to the overall work of APEC this year, he concluded. The APECforum includes 21 members - Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, China, Hong Kong(China), Indonesia, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, NewZealand, Papua New Guinea, Peru, the Philippines, Russia, Singapore, ChineseTaipei, Thailand, the US and Vietnam. By the endof November 2016, the APEC member economies accounted for 39 percent of theworld’s population and made up 59 percent of the world’s gross domestic product(GDP) and 48 percent of the global trade value.-VNA
The agenda of the first Senior Officials’ Meetings (SOM1) and related meetings of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Forum continued on February 27 in Nha Trang city, south central Khanh Hoa province, with a series of events.
Seven APEC committees and working groups held meetings on February 27 – the 10th day of the first APEC Senior Officials’ Meetings (SOM 1) and related events in Nha Trang city, Khanh Hoa province.
The first Senior Officials Meeting (SOM1) and related meetings of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Forum entered the 11th day on February 28 with a range of events organised by committees and working groups as scheduled.
The Party and State of Vietnam always attach great importance to and give top priority to the development of Vietnam–China relations. Vietnam is ready to work with the Chinese Party and State to further deepen the Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership and promote the building of the Vietnam-China community with a shared future that carries strategic significance.
Under the leadership of President Ho Chi Minh and the CPV, President Cuong said, the press has been a steadfast force on the ideological and cultural front, rallying the masses to pursue national aspirations.
NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man stressed the need to accelerate the application of artificial intelligence and smart teaching equipment, innovate teaching and assessment methods, and further improve the quality of formal education.
He also pledged that the NA will promote its ongoing supervision, making sure that every promise must lead to results, and every commitment must bring about real changes.
Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien welcomed the proposals put forward by the US side and reiterated Vietnam’s request for consideration of key areas of interest, including reciprocal tariff policies and access for Vietnamese key export products to the US market.
Deputy PM Le Thanh Long proposed countries promote shared values, including building trust, sincerity, and solidarity among nations and peoples; fostering cooperation spirit and responsible behaviour as well as upholding international law and the UN Charter; and placing people at the centre and as the goal, the key player, and the driving force of all policies.
The show, together with a grand parade to be held silmutaneously at Ba Dinh Square in Hanoi, will celebrate the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution, the National Day, and the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army (VPA).
In particular, in April 2023, the two sides successfully carried out a joint operation that dismantled a major organised, transnational drug trafficking ring involving both Vietnamese and Cambodian suspects.
The Vietnamese Embassy in Israel is closely coordinating with relevant local agencies to stay informed and provide the utmost support possible for Vietnamese nationals.
The launch of Thanh Nien (Young People) newspaper in 1925, even before the founding of the Communist Party of Vietnam, is considered a testament to President Ho Chi Minh’s strategic foresight and strong belief in the guiding power of the revolutionary media.
New Zealand is currently one of Vietnam’s most important partners in the region, marked by a high level of political trust, strong and reliable defence and security cooperation, and increasingly open economic, trade, and investment ties.
Party General Secretary To Lam stressed that the Central Public Security Party Committee must be fully aware of the extremely important role of the People's Public Security force in the country's new revolutionary phase, so as to guide each branch and level of the force as the nation undergoes transformation.
Addressing concerns over university education spending, Son explained that as public universities gain greater autonomy, the Ministry of Finance has scaled back recurrent state funding. “Over the past decade, as autonomy has increased, the State's support has steadily declined”, he noted
Lao Minister of Foreign Affairs Thongsavanh Phomvihane affirmed that the presence of Vietnamese press offices in Laos vividly demonstrates the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between the two nations, as the press is not only a means of communication but also an important bridge for spreading consciousness about the history, values, and strategic depth of the Laos – Vietnam relationship to the people of both countries and the international community.
The country is willing to participate in collective efforts to promote cooperation and mobilise resources to advance the current priority issues of developing countries, such as trade, investment, infrastructure connectivity, making the most of scientific and technological advances for development, and people-to-people exchanges, Hang said.
During the negotiations, the US highly evaluated Vietnam’s goodwill and efforts, affirmed its appreciation for the bilateral relationship, acknowledged Vietnam’s proposals and concerns, and considered these an important basis for continuing discussions and moving towards a final agreement.
The Chairman stressed the need for stricter fiscal discipline, faster digital transformation, and more efficient management of State budget revenues and expenditures.
A meeting at APEC SOM-1 (Illustrative image. Source: VNA)
