Vietnam at APEC 2021: united to overcome crisis and accelerate recovery

>> President Nguyen Xuan Phuc attends the Informal Leaders’ Meeting of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation
>> Vietnam continues its efforts to achieve APEC Vision 2040
>> Relations between Vietnam and New Zealand are developing vigorously

As the most influential economic cooperation mechanism in the Asia-Pacific region, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation has many strategic, economic, trade and investment advantages, which are conducive to promoting the country’s integrated development.

On November 15, 1998, in Kuala Lumpur, Vietnam formally joined the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum. Joining the APEC is a decision of historical significance, and shows the strategic vision of the party and the country of Vietnam. It is also an important milestone in the implementation of Vietnam’s foreign policy of openness, diversification, pluralism and international economic integration.

In the more than 22 years of participation in the APEC, Vietnam has made active and proactive contributions to the forum, helping to promote peace, stability, cooperation and economic interdependence in the region. Vietnam is one of the few members that successfully hosted the 2006 and 2017 APEC summits.

Vietnam is also one of the most active members in proposing proposals and projects in many areas. Several initiatives proposed by Vietnam were evaluated as practical and in the common interest.

Vietnam’s active contributions

The country has made significant contributions by serving as Executive Director of the Secretariat of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum (2005-2006), and as Chair and Vice Chair of several Main Committees and Working Groups.

The role of Vietnamese companies in APEC cooperation has also been increasingly strengthened. During APEC 2017, Vietnamese companies contributed their intelligence and efforts and directly participated in many activities, emphasizing their maturity, complementarity, roles and responsibilities for ‘APEC’ cooperation as well as regional economic connectivity.

Since successfully taking over the role of host for APEC 2017, Vietnam continues to actively participate and contribute to APEC cooperation, and accelerate the dissemination of important results of APEC 2017.

In the context of the evolving complex COVID-19 epidemic, Vietnam actively and proactively coordinated with APEC members to maintain the cooperative momentum of the Forum, and actively participated in promoting APEC’s long-term cooperation strategies.

Join, work and grow together

Following the successes of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation, New Zealand, which is hosting APEC 2021, has proposed that the theme be “Join, Do, Grow. Together”. The New Zealand side said that all APEC activities in 2021 will take place online.

The informal meeting on July 16 is an initiative of New Zealand. On the topic “Responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, what are the opportunities for the Asia-Pacific region to cooperate to overcome the health crisis, accelerate economic recovery and lay the foundations for a better future?” Leaders will discuss solutions to enhance regional cooperation to overcome the health crisis and accelerate economic recovery in the Asia-Pacific region.

This upcoming meeting with the participation of President Nguyen Xuan Phuc will help firmly emphasize Vietnam’s role and voice in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum, helping to materialize the Thirteenth Party Congress’ decision on active and proactive international integration within the framework of comprehensive, intensive, effective and elevated multilateral diplomacy.