14th APEC Leaders’ Meeting starts

VNGOVNet – In the afternoon of November 18, leaders of 21 APEC economies convened in an informal retreat chaired by Vietnamese President Nguyễn Minh Triết to start their annual two-day meeting in Hanoi. During the 2-hour meeting, the leaders discussed WTO/DDA-related issues; RTAs/FTAs; and the Ha Noi Action Plan to implement the Busan Roadmap as well as measures to achieve the Bogor Goals.

November 18, 2006 10:00 PM GMT+7

Photo: VNGOVNet

A statement on the Doha Development Agenda round of WTO negotiations was issued and the Ha Noi Action Plan endorsed.

The retreat was followed by a 1-hour dialogue between the leaders and the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC).

The leaders’ second retreat will be held in the morning of November 19 to discuss matters concerning human security, economic and technical cooperation, APEC reform, and other issues.

By Xuân Hồng
(Source: APEC 2006 SOM Chair Office)