The theme “Creating New Dynamism, Fostering A Shared Future” that Vietnam selected for the APEC 2017, which was announced by President Tran Dai Quang at the 24th APEC Summit in Lima, Peru, on November 19-20, 2016, received support from all member economies, the business community and leading experts.
It reflected the shared interest of all member economies in seeking new dynamism for the region’s economic integration, connectivity and growth. The theme also demonstrated the common long-term goal of the forum, which are peace, stability, development and prosperity, and at the same time showed expectation of new developments of the forum in 2017, thus contributing to affirming the forum’s position in the new circumstances.
In order to realise the theme, Vietnam recommended four priorities that are promoting sustainable, innovative and inclusive growth; boosting extensive economic connectivity; increasing competitiveness and creativity of micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises in the digital era; and strengthening food security and sustainable agriculture, and climate change adaptation.
The successful organisation of the APEC 2017 Year is a focus in Vietnam’s external policy on extensive and in-depth international integration. By hosting the forum, Vietnam hopes it can make practical contributions to APEC’s development and increase the efficiency of APEC cooperation, while boosting the country’s partnership with other member economies.
This is the second time Vietnam has hosted the Asia-Pacific region’s biggest and most important economic event. The first time was in 2006. The country will foster agricultural development, climate change adaptation, natural resources management and sustainable development in urban areas as well as ensure energy security and effective labour force.
Vietnam will work with financial ministers from APEC member economies to develop markets and provide financial assistance for private enterprises. According to Monica Hardy Whaley, Executive Director of the National Centre of Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (NCAPEC), APEC 2017 will bring many opportunities to Vietnamese enterprises to promote investment and trade links. The event will also offer a good chance for other APEC economies to learn from development experience of Vietnam – one of economies boasting the highest growth in the region.
