The National Committee for Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation (APEC) forum, which will be held in Việt Nam in 2017, convened its sixth plenary session yesterday. — VNA/VNS Photo Phạm Kiên

HÀ NỘI — The National Committee for Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation (APEC) forum, which will be held in Việt Nam in 2017, convened its sixth plenary session yesterday.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Phạm Bình Minh, who is the committee chairman, said the session was held to review tasks implemented in 2016 and discuss key activities of the first half of next year, including the organization of the APEC Economic Leaders’ Week in the central city of Đà Nẵng.

He applauded relevant ministries and agencies for successfully organising the Informal Senior Officials Meeting (ISOM) in Hà Nội earlier this month.

The ISOM organization was highly appreciated by APEC member economies, particularly the topic and priorities proposed by Việt Nam on promoting sustainable and creative growth, the role of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSEMs) and their competitiveness capacity and creativity in the digital era, and enhancing food security and sustainable agriculture and in a way that adapts to climate change, he said.

Minh also pointed out shortcomings that must be addressed soon to effectively carry out activities of the APEC year 2017.

He asked relevant ministries, agencies and localities to work closely with eath other and actively study and increase information exchanges to ensure successful organisation of the APEC year 2017 in all aspects.

Around 200 events, conferences and workshops will be held across the country in the framework of APEC 2017.

Việt Nam has prepared for hosting the 2017 APEC since 2013, when it was given the task at the Indonesian summit.

Việt Nam joined APEC in 1998, an important milestone for Việt Nam in implementing its external policy of diversification and multilateralisation. Việt Nam successfully hosted APEC 14 in 2006, which laid a foundation for the Asia-Pacific Free Trade areas and adopted the Hanoi Action Plan to implement the Bogor goals and initiatives to improve co-operation within APEC.

Established in 1989, APEC comprises 21 economies, including Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Peru, the Philippines, Russia, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, the US and Việt Nam. — VNS