ĐÀ NẴNG — Senior representatives from APEC will hold a news conference on Tuesday in the central city of Đà Nẵng to provide insights into the week’s meetings of the region’s leaders and ministers to shape the direction of Asia-Pacific trade and globalisation policy.

The news conference will examine key issues for the 21 Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation (APEC) member economies, which account for half of world trade and nearly 60 per cent of GDP, a news release issued by the APEC Secretariat on Sunday said.

“It will further provide insights into the outlook for trade and growth, and associated policy recommendations from the latest APEC Regional Trends Analysis to be launched at the event,” the press release said.

The press conference immediately follows the Chair of APEC Senior Officials’ post-Concluding APEC Senior Officials’ Meeting (CSOM) news conference at the newly-built International Media Centre in the city.

Guided by Việt Nam’s permanent Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and 2017 Chair of APEC Senior Officials, the CSOM will take place in Đà Nẵng on Monday and Tuesday and finalise measures for boosting trade participation and employment across the economies.

The first three SOMs were held across the country throughout the year including SOM 1 in the coastal city of Nha Trang, SOM 2 in Hà Nội and SOM 3 in HCM City.

Executive Director of the APEC Secretariat Dr Alan Bollard and Director of the APEC Policy Support Unit Dr Denis Hew will preside over the press briefing.

The event will focus on topics including the context of the APEC Economic Leaders’ Week and expectations for APEC Leaders and Ministers’ meetings in Đà Nẵng.   

In an interview with the APEC bulletin, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Phạm Bình Minh said leaders and ministers are meeting at a time when global and regional landscapes are undergoing complex and rapid transformation.

“It is true that there are many risks and uncertainties in the regional and global economies,” he added.

“However, we are encouraged to see stronger economic prospects, and trade continues to be a key driver of regional and global growth and a main employment generator. Asia-Pacific remains a bright spot, with growth rates higher than global levels,” said Minh who will co-chair the APEC Ministerial Meeting on Wednesday, together with Việt Nam’s Minister of Industry and Trade Trần Tuấn Anh.

Latest trade and growth trends/outlook for the region as well as challenges in the trading landscape and institutions that support it will also be on the agenda of the press conference. — VNS