APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting adopts Da Nang Declaration

Within the framework of the APEC 2017 Summit Week taking place in Da Nang from November 6-11, speaking at an international press conference on the afternoon of November 11, President Tran Dai Quang, Chairman of the 25th APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting, was pleased to announce that the 25th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders' Meeting had just concluded successfully.

President Tran Dai Quang delivers a closing speech at the conference. (Photo: VNA)

The President stressed that as an active and responsible member of the international community and an open economy that has been deeply integrated and has enjoyed a relatively high and stable growth rate over the past years, APEC 2017 is a valuable opportunity for Vietnam to contribute to promoting peace, cooperation and prosperity in the region. This is also an opportunity for Vietnam to affirm its foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, diversification, multilateralization and deep international integration.

Over the past year, APEC ministers, senior officials, business communities and scholars in the region have held more than 240 meetings in 10 provinces and cities in Vietnam. The meetings have seriously and thoroughly discussed and agreed to propose measures to promote APEC dialogue, cooperation and connectivity, creating new momentum for regional economic growth and connectivity, aiming to best prepare for the activities of the APEC 2017 Summit Week.

The President said that the Conference adopted the Da Nang Declaration “Creating new momentum, fostering a shared future” with the following main contents: Firstly, the APEC Action Plan on promoting inclusive economic, financial and social development was adopted to affirm the determination of member economies towards building an inclusive and resilient APEC community. This is also an important content in the dialogue between APEC economic leaders and the business community.

Second, to improve the growth quality, competitiveness and labor productivity of APEC economies, the urgent requirement is to enhance the quality of education, equipping workers with the necessary knowledge and skills to better adapt to the working environment and labor market that are fundamentally changing due to the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Deeply aware of that, we have adopted the Framework for Human Resource Development in the Digital Age. The policy orientations and measures set out in the Framework not only meet the common concerns of the region but also serve as a lever to help Vietnam continue to effectively implement strategic breakthroughs in human resource development, especially high-quality human resources.

Third, in order to create new drivers for sustainable and inclusive growth, the Conference spent a lot of time discussing in-depth policies and strategic measures to develop green, sustainable and innovative micro, small and medium enterprises; promote innovative startups; develop sustainable agriculture adapting to climate change; enhance food-water-energy security, rural and urban development; structural reform; capacity building; reduce natural disaster risks; increase women's economic empowerment; and develop sustainable tourism.

Implementing APEC's long-term cooperation frameworks in these areas will contribute to strengthening the Forum's role as the region's leading economic cooperation mechanism and leading global efforts on sustainable development, such as the common goals to be achieved by 2030 set by the United Nations.

Fourth, promoting free and open trade and investment in the Asia-Pacific is the mission of APEC economies. In order for APEC to continue to be the driving force for regional integration and connectivity, contributing to making the Asia-Pacific the engine of global economic growth and integration, the Conference reaffirmed its commitment to completing the implementation of the Bogor Goals on trade and investment liberalization; promoting investment, business and services facilitation; enhancing economic and technical cooperation; continuing efforts towards the formation of the Free Trade Area of ​​the Asia-Pacific (FTAAP). Emphasizing APEC's role in supporting a multilateral trading system based on free, open, fair, transparent and inclusive cooperation.

The meeting also welcomed the adoption of the APEC Framework on Facilitation of Cross-Border E-Commerce and the APEC Best Practices on Promoting Supporting Industries, to facilitate APEC to effectively exploit the development potential of the internet economy, digital economy and global supply chains and value chains.

Fifth, APEC is working harder than ever to achieve the Bogor Goals by 2020 and prepare to enter the fourth decade of development. To enhance APEC’s role and position in the multi-layered international landscape, APEC economic leaders welcomed the establishment of the APEC Vision Group to support senior officials in defining the direction and future of the Forum after 2020. It is a self-reliant forum, capable of handling global challenges as well as highly adaptable to a rapidly changing world.

This decision also demonstrates the determination of member economies towards building a peaceful, stable, dynamic, cohesive and prosperous Asia-Pacific community, in which people and businesses are at the center.

The President emphasized that in order to promote APEC's role as a mechanism to initiate and coordinate regional connectivity and association ideas, on this occasion, Vietnam organized the first informal dialogue between APEC and ASEAN on the theme "Together creating new momentum for a comprehensively connected Asia-Pacific", with the participation of leaders of APEC economies and 10 leaders of ASEAN countries.

On this occasion, President Tran Dai Quang praised all officials, employees, workers of central ministries, departments, agencies, Da Nang city, Quang Nam province and related localities, people from all walks of life, liaison officers, volunteers who supported, helped, and worked hard day and night to ensure the success of the APEC 2017 Summit Week./.

According to Vietnamplus