Vietnamese President urges APEC to iron out differences, facilitate growth

Vietnamese President Nguyen Xuan Phuc called on APEC members to smooth out differences, increase dialogue and coordinate actions to serve the bloc’s common interests and goals.

Phuc made the appeal at the 29th APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting held November 18 in Bangkok, Thailand. APEC is the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, an inter-governmental forum for 21 member economies in the Pacific Rim that promotes free trade throughout the region.

This was the first in-person meeting among leaders and heads of delegations of the 21 economies after a three-year hiatus owing to the Covid-19 the pandemic.

APEC 2022 hosted by Thailand is themed: “Open. Connect. Balance” - open to all opportunities, connect in all dimensions, and balance in all aspects, to promote economic growth and environmental sustainability.

The Vietnamese leader emphasized that an Asia-Pacific region of peace, stability, cooperation, prosperity and sustainable development was a goal and a common responsibility that required joint efforts by all APEC members.

He highlighted Vietnam’s people-centered policies to boost national digital transformation and build a green and circular economy.

Vietnam also sought to keep its COP26 commitments and hoped for assistance from the international community and other APEC members, he said.

The main COP26 commitment made by Vietnam is to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.

APEC leaders, deeply aware of challenges facing the region, affirmed their resolve to jointly seek solutions to help member economies tackle their crises, become stronger and more resilient, grasp opportunities and respond to future challenges.

APEC's 21 member economies are Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Chile, mainland China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Peru, the Philippines, Russia, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, the U.S., and Vietnam. APEC is headquartered in Singapore.