Việt Nam is ready to host the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation (APEC) meetings in the country’s central city of Đà Nẵng in 2017. — Photo Radio Nacional

LIMA — Việt Nam is ready to host the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation (APEC) meetings in the country’s central city of Đà Nẵng in 2017, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Phạm Bình Minh confirmed at the 28th APEC Ministerial Meeting (AMM) in Peru on November 18. 

Discussing preparations for the 2017 APEC Year in Việt Nam, Minh said Việt Nam proposed theming the year “Creating new driving force for a common future” based on the APEC’s common need for new momentum to promote integration and connectivity in the region.

About 200 activities, including eight ministerial-level conferences, will be held across Vietnamese cities and provinces, while the 25th APEC Summit will take place in Đà Nẵng, he revealed. 

Ministers extolled Việt Nam for its careful preparation and praised the theme of the event. 

They expressed their belief that APEC Year 2017 will contribute to widening and deepening regional collaboration. 

Another focus of the 28th AMM was human development – one of the top priorities of APEC co-operation. 

Participants emphasised the importance of education, innovation, vocational skills training, corporate culture, and information technology to human resources development. 

They said that it is necessary to improve the quality of and increase access to education, while ensuring job generation and quality life for all, especially women, youngsters and people with disabilities. 

They welcomed the joint statement adopted at the sixth APEC Education Ministerial Meeting in Peru in October and agreed to enhance education co-operation. 

APEC observers, representatives from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, the Pacific Economic Co-operation Council, and the Pacific Islands Forum proposed developing co-operation for sustainable growth and building a post-2020 vision for APEC. 

Minh said digital technology was driving fundamental change in economic sectors and is expected to spur the global economy. 

APEC should step up collaboration in education and digital connectivity, particularly in rural and remote areas to reduce poverty and empower women. 

He stressed that developing human resources is a priority for Việt Nam to realise its socio-economic development strategy through 2020. 

The same day, the 28th AMM concluded with the passing of a joint statement on measures to boost APEC co-operation, which will be submitted to the 24th APEC Summit on November 19-20. 

On the sidelines of the event, Minh had bilateral meetings with foreign partners, including the foreign ministers of the US and Papua New Guinea. The countries agreed to co-ordinate with Việt Nam for the success of the APEC Year 2017. — VNS