Towards APEC Vietnam Year 2017: Seizing opportunities, going out to sea

(Baonghean) - In the context of strong international economic integration, the right to host APEC Year 2017 is considered a "golden opportunity" for Vietnam. Each locality, enterprise and citizen needs to make efforts and contribute to making a resounding success of the number 1 regional economic forum in the host country Vietnam.

The region's leading economic forum

The initial idea of ​​the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum was first publicly mentioned in January 1989. Ten months later, 12 Asia-Pacific economies gathered in Canberra, Australia, and agreed to establish APEC.

The forum has been expanding its scale over the years and in 1998, Vietnam officially joined APEC, bringing the total number of members to 21. Since 1993, the US has proposed holding an annual APEC economic leaders' meeting to provide vision and strategic direction for cooperation in the region.

Delegates attending sideline activities of APEC Vietnam Year 2017. Photo: apec2017.vn

The forum's agenda includes three pillars. First, on trade and investment liberalization, APEC members will reduce tariff and non-tariff barriers to trade and investment, increasing employment, income and growth.

Second, to facilitate business, member economies pursue measures to reduce the time, cost and risk of doing business in the region and open up new economic opportunities, including for small businesses, women and youth.

Third, economic and technical cooperation (ECOTECH) helps build the technical capacity of APEC members, thereby promoting trade, investment and economic growth that is certain, stable and sustainable...

Having achieved many successes throughout its development, APEC currently represents 39% of the world's population, 57% of GDP and 49% of world trade, actively contributing to enhancing the integration and linkage capacity of developing member economies, contributing to the economic development and linkage of Asia - Pacific.

Every year, the forum implements about 150 projects, cumulatively implementing more than 1,600 capacity building projects worth 23 million USD.

This is also a pioneering cooperation mechanism to promote regional economic, trade and investment linkages, contributing to reducing barriers, taking the lead in promoting sustainable, inclusive and innovative growth, contributing to the formation and coordination of agreements and free trade areas such as TPP, RCEP, ASEAN, etc. towards the formation of a Free Trade Area of ​​the Asia-Pacific (FTAAP).

APEC is also a group of economies that makes important contributions to strengthening the multilateral trading system and addressing global issues.

Opportunity for deep integration in the new phase

For nearly 20 years participating in the practical APEC forum, Vietnam has always proven itself to be an active and responsible member. The fact that member economies unanimously supported Vietnam to host APEC Year 2017 is the most vivid proof of the high trust in Vietnam.

As the host, Vietnam proposed the theme of APEC 2017 as “Creating new momentum, fostering a shared future”, which was supported by all member economies, the business community and leading experts in the region, because it reflects the common interests of APEC member economies; at the same time, it represents the common denominator and long-term goals of APEC and the Asia-Pacific region.

Delegates on a field trip, activities within the framework of APEC Vietnam Year 2017. Photo: apec2017.vn

Thus, along with assuming the role of ASEAN Chair in 2020, running for non-permanent membership of the United Nations Security Council for the 2020-2021 term, and making efforts to complete commitments to join the WTO in 2018, APEC Year 2017 affirms Vietnam's determination to continue to innovate and integrate comprehensively into the world.

Not only that, the right to host APEC Year 2017 helps us have more opportunities and new chances to further take advantage of APEC's support and assistance, contributing to the completion of the country's socio-economic development goals, as affirmed by President Tran Dai Quang: "APEC Year 2017 needs to be transformed into a practical opportunity, contributing to the successful implementation of the key tasks set out by the 12th National Party Congress, continuing to synchronously and comprehensively promote the renovation process, develop into an industrialized country in the modern direction; firmly protect the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Fatherland; enhance the position and prestige of our country in the international arena".

It is expected that in 2017, Vietnam will welcome tens of thousands of delegates and organize about 200 large and small APEC events across the country. These are great opportunities for localities and businesses to promote business, connect, promote tourism, promote images, and introduce regional products to the world.

Provinces and cities can take advantage of APEC's great potential in terms of market, finance, and technology; seek investment partners, strategic partners, and sign cooperation agreements...

Every citizen needs to be deeply aware of his or her honor and responsibility, pay attention to maintaining civilized behavior, a polite and friendly welcome attitude towards international guests, and keep the environment and landscape clean and beautiful to help international friends feel the beauty of the local culture and people, etc.

Through these small actions, we have practically contributed to promoting the country's integration process in the new development stage, affirming Vietnam's position when reaching out to the ocean, standing firm before all waves of opportunities and challenges.

Phu Binh