National APEC Committee holds 7th session

Minh hailed the effective coordination of committee members and their efforts in successfully organising the first Senior Officials’ Meeting (SOM 1) in Nha Trang city, the central province of Khanh Hoa. 

The SOM 1 demonstrated the overall support of APEC members for the theme of the APEC Year 2017 and the four priorities of APEC cooperation during the year, he said

He listed several major APEC events in the second quarter of the year, including the high-level policy round-table on human resources development in Hanoi from May 11-15, the Meeting of Ministers Responsible for Trade (MRT) set for May 19-21 in Hanoi, the Senior Finance Officials’ Meeting (SFOM) in Ninh Binh on May 18-19, and the high-level policy roundtable on sustainable tourism slated for June 18-19 in Ha Long. 

In particular, the SOM 2 and related meetings in Hanoi from May 9-18 will be important in defining directions of APEC cooperation in 2017, Minh said. 

Therefore, the Deputy PM requested ministries, agencies and cities to ensure the pace of preparations for the meetings and organize cultural and art events on those occasions to promote Vietnam’s image to international guests. 

The session also heard reports on the preparations for events during the APEC Year 2017, especially those related to the APEC Economic Leaders’ Week in the central city of Danang in November. 

Vietnam is hosting the APEC Year 2017 under the theme “Creating new dynamism, fostering a shared future.” The country has selected the four priorities for APEC cooperation as promoting sustainable, innovative and inclusive growth; Deepening regional economic integration; Strengthening MSMEs’ competitiveness and innovation in the digital age; and Enhancing food security and sustainable agriculture in response to climate change.

During the 2nd quarter, the APEC Year activities will include a Meeting of the Trade Ministers, Dialogues on human resources development and sustainable tourism.

Ministries and provinces will take these opportunities to promote the images of Vietnam’s land and people to international friends.