(VOVworld) – The APEC Informal Senior Officials Meeting (ISOM-APEC) opened in Hanoi on Friday as a curtain raiser for APEC Vietnam 2017. Hosting APEC Year 2017 and ISOM-APEC demonstrates Vietnam’s strategic vision and commitment contributions to enhancing Asia-Pacific cooperation.
400 politicians, scholars, and business people from APEC countries mingle with Vietnamese and foreign organizations at ISOM-APEC. Given rapid global and regional developments with a trend toward protectionism, it’s time for APEC to show its leading role in promoting sustainable growth, enhancing multilateral trade, and coordinating regional economic cooperation mechanisms.
The theme of APEC 2017 “Creating a new driving force for a common future” reflects APEC’s wish to find new drivers of integration and economic growth and a common path to peace, stability, development, and prosperity.
Priorities
At the APEC 2016 summit in Lima, Peru, in November, Vietnam defined four priorities to elaborate APEC 2017’s theme: boosting resilient, inclusive, and creative growth, improving the innovative competitiveness of SMEs in the digital era, strengthening food security, and creating sustainable agriculture adapted to climate change.
Participants agreed with Vietnam’s priorities, particularly with their economies facing multi-dimensional challenges in the wake of the global financial crisis. Ambassador Nguyen Nguyet Nga, senior advisor to the Secretariat of APEC Vietnam 2017, said: “Initiatives should focus on APEC’s priorities in light of the new need for growth and connectivity. Our initiatives on quality of growth, connectivity, and economic reforms match APEC’s needs. We have proposals to support SMEs and human resource training in the digital era.”
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Vice Chairman of the National Committee for APEC 2017, Bui Thanh Son, said: “We have identified top priorities for APEC 2017 with regard to economics, sustainable development, creativity, and SME reform. Experts and high-ranking officials from APEC countries will suggest ideas on these issues. We intend to collect opinions to build a community for the people and enterprises of APEC members.”
Promoting Vietnam’s image
Hosting APEC Year 2017 reflects Vietnam’s strategic view of the Asia-Pacific region. The ISOM-APEC meeting will try to create consensus among member economies for Vietnam’s proposed priorities. Vietnam also wants to promote itself as a hospitable country with a transparent and streamlined environment for investors.