Hanoi (VNA) – APEC Year 2017, withthe freshly-concluded APEC Economic Leaders’ Week in Da Nang city the highlight,was comprehensively successful, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister PhamBinh Minh told the media on November 13.

Comprehensivesuccess

He elaborated that the comprehensive success canbe seen from the organisation and chairing of events to reception,infrastructure, logistics, culture, communications to security and heath care.

The most important outcome is that APECcontinues its economic cooperation and connection impetus, brings into play itsrole as the leading economic connection mechanism of the region, keeps its corevalue of trade and investment liberalisation, and supports multilateral trade.

The APEC Economic Leaders’ Week from November 6to 11 was one of the few of its kind to be attended by leaders of all 21 membereconomies over the last decade. This showed their commitment and resolve to theAPEC forum and the Asia-Pacific region.

More than 21,000 delegates took part in the 243activities held during the APEC Year 2017 in Vietnam. The APEC EconomicLeaders’ Week alone attracted about 11,000 delegates, he said, adding thatthese figures reflected the world and the region’s great attention to APEC.

Minh noted that this year’s outcomes created animportant foundation for future APEC cooperation. Eight major documents werepassed, particularly the Da Nang Declaration and the joint statement of theAPEC Ministerial Meeting.

For the first time, APEC agreed to promoteeconomic, financial and social inclusion and innovative startups, he said.

APEC leaders also set major plans for APECcooperation until 2020 and beyond so as to work towards an APEC for people andbusinesses, help to build an Asia-Pacific community of peace, stability,dynamism, inter-connectivity and prosperity, and uphold APEC’s leadership incoping with new challenges.

The Deputy PM said ASEAN’s outstandingattainments and central role were highlighted during the year. The APEC leadersconvened the first-ever dialogue with all 10 ASEAN members, aiming to enhancecoordination in promoting regional growth and economic connectivity.

Practicalbenefits for Vietnam

By hosting the week and the APEC Year 2017,Vietnam has obtained all major targets, including improving the country’s roleand stature in the international arena, strengthening its relations with otherAPEC economies, connecting Vietnamese enterprises with APEC firms, andpopularising its development and business potential, he said.

He elaborated that the hosting helped thecountry carry out the foreign policy of diversifying and multilateralisingforeign relations, integrating into the world, and boosting the effectivenessof multilateral diplomacy, with the goal of ensuring peace, stability andfavourable conditions for national development.

Additionally, Vietnam made use of APECactivities to bolster ties with major partners, Minh noted, adding that on theoccasion of the Week, Chinese Party General Secretary and President Xi Jinping,US President Donald Trump and Chilean President Michelle Bachelet paid statevisits to Vietnam. Meanwhile, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made anofficial visit.

These were historic trips during which strategicagreements were reached, heralding new chapters for Vietnam’s relations withpartners. During the week, local leaders also held more than 50 meetings withleaders of partner countries. Vietnam signed 121 cooperation agreements worthnearly 20 billion USD in total. 

Many partners like Russia, China, Laos, the US,Japan, the Republic of Korea and New Zealand also gave assistance in differentforms to support flood victims in the central region hit by typhoon Damrey, Minhsaid.

During the APEC Economic Leaders’ Week, Vietnamadvertised its potential and opportunities for development, economy, trade,investment, services and tourism. Notably, the APEC CEO Summit attracted arecord of over 2,000 businesses, including some 1,300 foreign firms. TheVietnam Business Summit drew about 2,200 businesses, including 850 Vietnamesecompanies. 

More than 80 meetings between localities andbusinesses took place on the sidelines of APEC activities, and many businesscooperation plans between enterprises were formed.

The Deputy PM added through APEC events,regional economies learned about the dynamism and reforms of Vietnam’s economy,raising hope of a new influx of investment, trade and tourism into the country.

He attributed the successful organistion of theAPEC Year 2017 to several factors, including the demand for growth momentum andregional economic connectivity in APEC. Vietnam realised this demand and workedto promote common voices.

Among subjective factors, one is the Party,State and Government’s leadership in hosting and the whole political system’sengagement in preparations for the year. Another factor is Vietnam’s higherstanding after three decades of reform, along with APEC economies trust in thecountry.

Diplomatic wisdom helped Vietnam makemethodological steps and deal with arising problems. It also made preparationsearly such as by setting up agencies in charge of activities in December 2014.

Joint efforts by localities, businesses andpeople were also important factors in the success of the APEC Year 2017, theDeputy PM Minh noted.-VNA