VN focuses on APEC Year in 2017

Mr. Quang made the point on December 20 (local time) at the closing ceremony of the APEC Summit 2016 in Lima, Peru on November 20.

Earlier, the Vietnamese State President and other APEC leaders participated in the second APEC Economic Leaders'  Retreat under the themes “Food Security, Climate Change Adaptation and Access to Water,” and “Integrating the Asia-Pacific Towards Real and Functional Connectivity in the APEC Region.”

At the event, APEC leaders highlighted the role of food and water security to quality growth, especially in the context that the Asian Pacific Region is affecting with natural disasters and climate change. They welcomed the Framework for Multiyear APEC Program on Food Security and Climate Change; the establishment of the APEC Strategic Framework on Rural-Urban Development to Strengthen Food Security and Quality Growth in 2016.

APEC leaders reiterated that enhanced connectivity is a vital demand of all APEC members in the 21st century in response to the globalization, robust technology development, global value chains. They also committed to shaking closer hands in response to climate change, safeguarding food security, promoting infrastructure, digital, human connectivity in favor of trade circulation, investment, better living standards.

VN puts forth five proposals

State President Quang presented five proposals to ensure food security, climate change response and water resources access at the second plenary session of the 24th APEC Summit.

Accordingly, the APEC economies should

(1) display political resolve and take drastic measures to realize global climate agreements;

(2) develop agriculture in a sustainable manner in tandem with the effective use of natural resources, including cross-border management of water resources;

(3) implementing the APEC Disaster Risk Reduction Framework; improving disaster recovery capacity, with a focus on community-based disaster risk management and sustainable rural development;

(4) enhance connectivity between remote areas, step up public-private partnerships in investment in infrastructure, transportation, telecommunications and the internet;

(5)  intensify mutual support in capacity improvement, technology transfer and share experience to guarantee sustainable and comprehensive development.

The State President also underscored the significance of linking regional connectivity programs together, including the ASEAN and Mekong Sub-region connectivity programs.

Centre of Viet Nam’s external activities in 2017

Mr. Quang also affirmed that hosting the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Year in 2017 is the centre of Viet Nam’s external activities, demonstrating the country’s desire to contribute to APEC and regional development.

The State President welcomed leaders and representatives of APEC economies to the APEC Year 2017 themed “ Creating New Dynamism, Fostering a Shared Future,” which is also one of key centers in Viet Nam’s foreign diplomacy by 2020. The move illustrates Viet Nam’s aspiration to contribute to APEC and convert the Asia Pacific Region into a prosperous and developing region.

On November 20 evening, State President Quang and his spouse left Peru, successfully concluding his trip to the 24th High-Level Week of the APEC forum from November 17-20.

He will then pay an official visit to Italy from November 21-24 at the invitation of his Italian counterpart Sergio Mattarella and visit the Vatican on November 23 as a guest of Pope Francis./.

By Kim Anh