Hanoi (VNA) – President Tran Dai Quang has urged the National Committee forthe Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum to forge ahead with thoroughpreparations in all aspects to meet the expectation of other member economiesfor Vietnam as the host of the APEC Year 2017.

He made the request at the committee’s eighthplenary session held in Hanoi on June 22.

President Quang hailed ministries, relevantdepartments and localities for preparing the APEC Year 2017 in a synchronous,active and prompt manner, which contributed to the successful organisation ofthree ministerial-level and four senior official meetings in the first half ofthis year.

In the context of regional and global complicateddevelopments, it is necessary to recognise and seize active trends and hugeopportunities to implement the targets set by the Party and State in hostingAPEC 2017, he said.

Vietnam needs to promote the active and proactiverole as the host of APEC 2017 – an important economic forum in the region that playsa crucial role in terms of strategy, economics, politics and security, he added.

Particularly, activities held during the APECEconomic Leaders’ Meeting slated for November in the central coastal city of DaNang are intended to increase Vietnam’s prestige and boost regional economicconnectivity as well as further deepen the relations among APEC membereconomies, he stressed.

It is necessary to take this occasion to promotethe national strength, potential and economic cooperation, he noted.

In addition to speeding up infrastructurepreparation and increasing communications to popularise the land, people andculture of Vietnam, it is important to ensure absolute safety and security forthe APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting, he said.

The President ordered to boost the participationof people and businesses in preparation work for and organisation of APECactivities, including the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister PhamBinh Minh, who is also Chairman of the APEC National Committee, said thecommittee will do its utmost to ensure the pace and quality of the preparationfor the APEC Year 2017.

The ninth plenary session of the APEC NationalCommittee is scheduled to take place in September 2017.

Vietnam is hosting the APEC Year 2017 under thetheme “Creating new dynamism, fostering a shared future.” The country hasselected four priorities for APEC cooperation as promoting sustainable,innovative and inclusive growth; deepening regional economic integration; strengtheningmicro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises (MSMS)’s competitiveness andinnovation in the digital age; and enhancing food security and sustainableagriculture in response to climate change.

Established in 1989, APEC comprises 21 economies,including Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan,the Republic of Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Peru,the Philippines, Russia, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, the US and Vietnam.-VNA