Port Moresby (VNA) –Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc urged the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation(APEC) forum to carry forward its role in driving regional and globalconnectivity while addressing a working session within the 26th APECEconomic Leaders’ Meeting on November 18.

APEC should continue to send outthe message on its pioneer role in supporting an open, rule-based, transparentand non-discriminatory multilateral trading system, along with furtherpromoting the central role of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), he said atthe session themed “Connecting for inclusive growth through digital future”.

In the context of unprecedentedchallenges that threaten the stability of the global trade system, each APEC membershould display its strong resolve, he said, stressing the acceleration of theliberalisation of trade and investment, and respect for international orders basedon law as well as the role of global institutions, especially the WTO.

The Vietnamese PM suggestedstepping up the structural reform in order to narrow gaps among economies andintegrating the Renewed APEC Agenda for Structural Reform in the agenda of APECmembers, thus ensuring benefits brought about by innovation and technology willreach all citizens and businesses, while supporting disadvantaged groups andsmall- and medium-sized enterprises.

APEC needs to push ahead with theeffective implementation of the initiative on cross-border e-commerce, andinternet and digital economy, he added.

Besides, APEC should invest indigital infrastructure, speed up digital transformation towardscomprehensiveness, trustworthiness and safety, focusing on digital tradeinfrastructure and fin-tech, connect innovative and creative centres, promotestartups and upgrade organisation and administration skills, he proposed.

PM Phuc appealed to developedeconomies to assist developing ones in structural transformation,administration capacity building and technological application to improveconnectivity ability in the digital era.

He informed APEC leaders thatVietnam had approved the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement forTrans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) on November 12, noting that it is a specificstep forward for the country to participate deeper in the global value chain.

The PM also highlighted Vietnam’sefforts in economic reform, growth model transformation and improvement ofbusiness environment, personnel quality and social welfare.

At the session, the APEC leaders reachedconsensus on the digital economy action programme, and agreed to strengthencooperation in capacity building, skill development and narrowing digital gaps.

They emphasised the participationof all social elements in the digital economy, technological application,innovation and creation for sustainable and quality growth.

The leaders also committed toaccelerating the completion of Bogor Goals by 2020 and the implementation ofthe APEC Connectivity Blueprint by 2025, gearing towards the Free Trade Area ofthe Asia-Pacific (FTAAP).

Most of them showed their supportfor the rule-based, transparent, non-discriminatory and open multilateraltrading system with the WTO playing the central role.

However, there still remained majorgaps in viewpoints of some members on issues regarding trade and themultilateral trading system.


Also on November 18, PM Phuc delivereda speech at another working session on promoting inclusive growth in thedigital economy, in which he underlined the urgent need to spur inclusivegrowth amidst unstable and uneven growth of the global economy.

It is time for APEC to take thelead in boosting inclusive and creative growth in Asia-Pacific, creatingmomentum for sustainable development globally and the implementation of the UNSustainable Development Goals (SDGs), he said.

The PM suggested APEC take thepioneer role in incubating innovative and creative initiatives, thus turningAsia-Pacific into a global technological centre.

At the same time, APEC should increasecooperation programmes on structural and growth model reform, the improvementof innovative and competitive capacity of economies, the promotion ofinnovative startups, the building of innovative and creative ecosystem in Asia-Pacific.

The PM held that the APEC membersneed to utilise great opportunities generated by the digital era, put people atthe centre of development, and support vulnerable groups, especially women,girls and people with disabilities, in accessing digital technology, adaptingto changes and coping with risks.

He called on APEC to step upgender inclusion, create favourable conditions for female entrepreneurs,increase women’s economic empowerment and set up a network of APEC femaleentrepreneurs.

APEC should contribute more toefforts to counter global challenges, especially food security, he said,stressing the need to materialise APEC action plans on food security andclimate change, and rural and urban area development, invest in infrastructure,develop smart agriculture and manage natural resources sustainably.

The PM urged APEC to help its developingmembers apply high technologies in risk control, early warning and post-naturaldisaster rehabilitation.

Vietnam is building agrowth-facilitating Government, with attention paid to sustainable andinclusive growth, he said, adding that the country has encouraged startupspirit, innovation and creation, and worked to ensure social welfare, protectthe environment and implement the national strategy on the fourth IndustrialRevolution.

Vietnam will continue to accompany other APEC members in effortstowards a community which is economically dynamic, socially inclusive, andstable in terms of security, whilst truly working for the people and businesses,PM Phuc said.-VNA