(VOVworld) – The APEC in the 21^st century’s Asia-Pacific conference opened in Hanoi on Friday. The event, organized by Vietnam’s Foreign Ministry and the UNDP in Vietnam, coincides with the 15^th anniversary of Vietnam’s APEC membership. Delegates will discuss the role and prospects of APEC, regional economic links, Vietnam’s contributions over the last 15 years, and preparations for Vietnam’s hosting of the 25^th APEC summit in 2017. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh said that Vietnam’s joining of APEC 15 years ago was part of the effort to implement its foreign policy of openness, multilateralization, diversification, and international economic integration. He said: “The Asia-Pacific region and APEC are increasingly important to Vietnam as Vietnam is entering a new strategic period. Our major policy is to help consolidate cooperation mechanisms and multi-level economic links in Asia-Pacific from sub-regions to the ASEAN Community, APEC, and the entire region.”

Delegates agreed that APEC has continued to be an important economic cooperation mechanism but its content and operational methods need to be updated to fit the new situation.

APEC member economies commended Vietnam on its role and contributions to APEC and other regional economic institutions. Representatives from Vietnamese ministries and businesses said that joining APEC had brought about economic benefits for Vietnam. Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade, Nguyen Cam Tu, said: “As an open economic forum, APEC has brought about non-binding agreements, suitable for developing countries like Vietnam. APEC has practical programs to develop trade. It also has open dialogue and policy mechanisms, particularly for trade. These are favorable conditions for Vietnam to fine tune its trade institutions and contribute to improving others in the world.”

The conference made a number of proposals to increase Vietnam’s involvement and contribution in APEC during its international integration process while taking advantage of APEC’s cooperation opportunities for economic and business development. The APEC Secretariat and members praised Vietnam’s organization of this conference, considering it part of preparations for Vietnam’s hosting of the 25^th APEC Summit in 2017. David Dodwell a representative of the APEC Business Advisory Council, said:

“I’m very encouraged and the reason why we are determined to come and participate is because Vietnam is going to be hosting APEC in 2017. This quite formally is the first meeting for Vietnam’s government to start the process of thinking about and preparing for 2017. For me, it’s marvelous that the government is thinking so far ahead, determined to make a success of their year’s host of APEC. So I’m impressed that they’ll be sufficiently organized to meet so early and to start the process of thinking about 2017. I hope this is the beginning of a dialogue that will continue.”

Leaders of the Foreign Ministry will receive Tan Jian, Head of the Chinese delegation to APEC’s Senior Officials’ Meetings. They will discuss coordination to prepare Vietnam’s participation in APEC year in China in 2014. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Industry and Trade, and the Ministry of Planning and Investment will discuss with Alan Bollard, Director of APEC Secretariat preparations for the 25^th APEC Summit and APEC’s activities in Vietnam in 2017.