Vietnamese President Vo Van Thuong joins other leaders at the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting 2023 in San Francisco, USA. (Photo: VNA)

The meeting brought together heads of delegations of all 21 APEC economies, namely Brunei, Canada, Chile, Chinese Taipei, the United States, Indonesia, Korea, Hong Kong (China), Malaysia, Mexico, Russia, New Zealand, Japan, Australia, Papua New Guinea, Peru, the Philippines, Thailand, China, Singapore and Vietnam.

Delegates reviewed 30 years of APEC cooperation since the first summit in the United States in 1993 and examined cooperation directions in the new period. They also discussed the world economic situation, challenges and opportunities facing the Asia-Pacific region.

The leaders highly appreciated APEC’s important contributions to promoting global economic growth over the past decades, and affirmed that the grouping needs to continue to be a key driving force for economic growth in an increasing global landscape.

They also stressed the need for the grouping to realize the APEC Vision to 2040 toward an open, dynamic, resilient and peaceful Asia-Pacific community, for prosperity of the people and future generations.

Regarding trade, investment and connection cooperation, they committed to promoting a free, open, transparent and inclusive trade and investment environment, maintain markets open and resolve supply chain disruptions.
They affirmed to continue supporting the rules-based multilateral trade system with the central role of the World Trade Organisation, underlined the importance of establishing a non-discriminatory digital ecosystem for companies and consumers, and agreed to accelerate the implementation of the Internet economic roadmap/ APEC digital economy.
They also agreed to reduce and eliminate fossil fuel subsidies and accelerate the transition to clean energy to achieve the global goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions to zero.
On the occasion, the meeting approved the major principles on just energy transition and food security in APEC cooperation, the framework and action plan to reduce natural risks, and agreed to speed up the implementation of the biogreen circular economy model and integrate sustainable and inclusive contents in APEC activities.
The leaders agreed that more efforts should be made to improve the quality of people’s lives; expand their access to healthcare and education services, promote gender equality, and empower women, minorities, and rural and remote communities.

Addressing the meeting, President Thuong said APEC is a leading regional cooperation and connection forum that brings substantive benefits to people. Three lessons can be drawn from APEC’s success for the future. They are the openness and goodwill of all parties to understand and overcome differences, find common voice ground and promote common interests, the vision and strategic thinking of generations of leaders that have correctly positioned the role of Asia and the Pacific and APEC, and the support and companionship of the business community and people.

Regarding APEC’s operations, the President emphasized maintaining and consolidating important achievements on the liberalization and facilitation of trade and investment in the Asia-Pacific region and the globe, creating cooperation frameworks supporting member economies to take advantage of development opportunities and promote growth momentum, and cooperating to build a self-reliant region, each self-reliant economy, ready to respond to challenges.

He said that APEC members need to be open, sincere, and have constructive dialogue to increase understanding, narrow differences, and create consensus.

The President stressed that after 25 years of joining APEC, with its desire to continue contributing to the APEC process, Vietnam proposes to host activities of the APEC Year 2027.

President Vo Van Thuong, his wife and the high-ranking Vietnamese delegation left San Francisco on November 17 evening, concluding their trip to attend the APEC Economic Leaders’ Week in the United States.