HÀ NỘI — Hosting events of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum demonstrates the strategic diplomatic vision and growing stature of Việt Nam on the world stage, according to Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Phạm Bình Minh. 

In a recent article published by muliple local media outlets, Minh, also Chairman of the APEC 2017 National Committee, wrote that APEC Year 2017 would be a critical opportunity for Việt Nam to affirm its diplomatic wisdom, especially in multilateral external activities, amid strong efforts to integrate internationally. 

He said APEC Vietnam 2017’s theme, “Creating New Dynamism, Fostering A Shared Future”, had been praised by members of the 21-nation Pacific Rim trade association, the events of which Việt Nam is hosting this year.
Based on APEC cooperation outcomes in past years, Việt Nam put forth the following priorities: promoting sustainable, innovative and inclusive growth; deepening regional economic integration; strengthening micro, small and medium enterprises’ competitiveness and innovation in the digital age; and enhancing food security and sustainable agriculture in response to climate change. 
The theme, priorities and co-operation directions for APEC Year 2017 illustrate the vision of the country’s diplomacy, that targets a peaceful and stable Asia-Pacific with dynamic development driving growth and economic connectivity in the region and the world, the article says. 

"APEC activities this year must prove that APEC is a forum for people and businesses. It is also urgent to attain the Bogor Goals - a set of targeted goals for realising free and open trade in the Asia-Pacific agreed by member economies in 1994, maintain connectivity within frameworks like the Trans-Pacific Partnership and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, and work to form a Free Trade Area for the Asia-Pacific. 

"After 28 years of development, it’s time to shape APEC’s post-2020 vision, which needs to clarify long-term orientations and cooperation pillars for the next 10-15 years. It is necessary to bring into play the spirit of equal, win-win, voluntary and non-binding cooperation to ensure the forum’s dynamism and attractiveness in a region with diverse history, culture and development levels," the article says. 
Growing stature, practical benefits 
Minh wrote that activities this year would allow Việt Nam to boost the stable and sustainable development of the partnerships it had set up, particularly with key APEC members. 

Additionally, accelerating the realisation of the Bogor Goals and APEC’s strategies and action plans, along with Việt Nam’s efforts to fulfill commitments in free trade agreements, would help promote reforms, economic restructuring and the shifting of the growth model in the country while improving the local business and investment climate. 

Some 200 planned APEC 2017 activities would generate co-operation, business and tourism opportunities, Minh wrote, saying that the APEC Economic Leaders’ Week in Đà Nẵng City alone would be attended by 10,000 delegates and entrepreneurs in November. 

Deputy PM Minh voiced his belief that with Việt Nam’s efforts and other member economies’ support, APEC Vietnam 2017 would be successful, contributing to the country’s development and affirming its vision and stature. — VNS