(VOVworld) – Vietnamese delegations to the United Nations, the World Trade Organization, and other international organizations met on Monday in Geneva to discuss Vietnam’s priorities for APEC Year 2017 as well as action plans in Vietnam and Geneva.

Ambassador Duong Chi Dung, head of Vietnam's Permanent Mission in Geneva, spoke at the event (Photo: VNA)

The meeting, chaired by Ambassador Duong Chi Dung, head of Vietnam's Permanent Mission in Geneva, was attended by the diplomatic corps from 21 APEC member economies in the WTO. Ambassador Duong Chi Dung said that after 3 decades of renewal, Vietnam has favorable conditions to contribute to APEC’s efforts to bring practical benefits to regional enterprises and people. Vietnam is promoting economic relations by negotiating and signing free trade agreements with most APEC members.

Ambassador Dung said hosting APEC 2017 is one of Vietnam’s diplomatic priorities to boost trade and investment liberalization, facilitate enterprises, and enhance regional cooperation. In APEC Year 2017, Vietnam is expected to host more than 200 meetings nationwide. The 25th APEC Summit Week will be held in November in Da Nang city.

Delegations of the 21 APEC economies expressed support for Vietnam’s priorities and vowed to help make the APEC Year in Vietnam a success. Participants said that in the context of increasing protectionism and anti-globalization movements, APEC needs to play an active role and deliver a strong message supporting multilateral trade and trade liberalization.