Bangkok (VNA) – President Nguyen Xuan Phuc called on members of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) to iron outdifferences, increase dialogue, and coordinate actions for the sake of commoninterests, while attending the 29th APEC Economic Leaders’ Meetingand related activities on November 18.

Held in Thailand’s Bangkok capital, this is the firstin-person meeting among leaders and heads of delegations of the 21 APEC membereconomies after a three-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Themed “Open. Connect. Balance”, the event discussed threepriority orientations of APEC, namely open to all opportunities, connect in alldimensions, and balance in all aspects, to promote economic growth in tandemwith environmental sustainability.

Deeply aware of challenges facing the region, the leadersaffirmed the resolve to jointly seek solutions so that the economies can getout of the crisis, become stronger with more resilience, and flexibly graspopportunities and respond to future challenges.

They reaffirmed the commitment to realise the APEC Putrajaya Visionon an open, dynamic, resilient, and peaceful Asia-Pacific community by 2040 for prosperity of all people and future generations; and agreed to consolidateAPEC’s leadership and standing as the leading regional economic forum as well as amodern and effective idea incubator.

They also stressed that APEC cooperation needs to work out practicalsolutions to common challenges and aid global efforts in sustainable developmentand climate change response.

In his remarks, President Phuc emphasised that anAsia-Pacific of peace, stability, cooperation, prosperity, and sustainabledevelopment is a goal and a common responsibility that requires joint effortsby all APEC member economies.

They should iron out differences, increase dialogue, andcoordinate actions for the sake of common interests, to protect theachievements and values obtained over the last three decades, and to reinforcethe foundation for cooperation and development in the future, he recommended.

Addressing a discussion on sustainable, inclusive andbalanced growth, he held that Asia-Pacific has entered a new phase ofdevelopment and needs to take the lead in promoting the balanced, inclusive andsustainable growth model, and assist member economies with green transition anddigital transformation.

The Vietnamese leader underlined some “balance” factors in cooperation,including putting people at the centre to create balance in each economy, amongsectors, and among social elements; and balancing interests andresponsibilities among economies and regions. The goal is common, but measuresmust be adapted to the characteristics and development level of each party.

He also welcomed many new initiatives suggested by APECmembers to provide financial support for development, energy transition,climate change adaptation, and digital economy development, adding that APECcan only secure successful cooperation when its members together open up balancedand open opportunities for access to sources of capital and clean and moderntechnology.

ThePresident highlighted Vietnam’s policy on boosting national digitaltransformation and building a green and circular economy in which people is thecentre, player, and ultimate goal of development.

Vietnamis also exerting efforts to realise COP26 commitments and hopes for assistance from the international community and other APEC members, he added./.