Khanh Hoa (VNA) - The first APEC SeniorOfficials Meeting (SOM1) and related meetings in Nha Trang city, Khanh Hoaprovince, are of significance, opening the APEC Vietnam 2017 and kick-startingpreparations for💯 the APEC Economic Leaders’ Week scheduled for Da Nang city in🍒November, a high-ranking official has said.

In an exclusive interview granted to the Vietnam NewsAgency (VNA), Permanent Deputy Foreign Minister, APEC 2017 SOM Chair Bui ThanhSon said as many as 60 events of APEC committees, working groups andsub-committees were held within the framework of SOM1 and related meetings,covering a range of fields such as trade and investment, business facilitation,services, tourism, food security, seas and oceans, response to climate change,standards and conformance, healthcare, life science and innovation andanti-corruption. In the context that the regional and world situation haswitnessed profound changes; the world economy and global trade have seen slower-than-expectedgrowth; and populism and protectionism have posed challenges to the globalisationresults, the outcomes of SOM1 are crucial to APEC cooperation orientations throughoutthe year and contribute to the deployment of the APEC 2017 theme of “Creatingnew dynamism, fostering a shared future”, promoting trade and investment liberalisation,strengthening regional economic connectivity and generating a new momentum for thegrowth in Asia – Pacific and each regional economy, Son elaborated. Regarding Vietnam’s proposedpriorities for APEC 2017, Son said the APEC members supported and reached highconsensus on the four priorities, namely promoting sustainable, innovative and inclusive growth; deepening regionaleconomic integration; strengthening micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises(MSMEs)’ competitiveness and innovation in the digital age; and enhancing foodsecurity and sustainable agriculture in response to climate change. At the meetings, workshops and dialogues, delegates enthusiasticallydiscussed and proposed initiatives as well as practical and specific measuresto implement the AEPC 2017 priorities. These initiatives and measures will be submittedto SOM1 for consideration and approval. According to the Deputy Minister, APEC members also proposed projectsand programmes on enhancing capacity to create favourable conditions for the members,especially developing economies, participate in and take full advantage of APECcooperation opportunities. In the freshly-ended meetings, Vietnam’s delegationcomprising of officials from relevant ministries, sectors and agencies,actively joined in and made practical contributions to regional issues of commonconcern such as promoting regional economic connectivity, creating optimalconditions for micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) to expandbusiness, investment and participate in the global value chains, and developinghuman resources. The Vietnamese delegates deliberated practical issuesclosely connected to the lives of people and localities, including diseaseprevention and control, food hygiene and safety, at the Health Working Group(HWG) Meeting. They also shared experience and measures in response to naturaldisasters at the Emergency Preparedness Working Group (EPWG) Meeting. Leaders, officials, businesspeople and people of KhanhHoa province have actively joined in preparing for the meetings and taken this occasionto promote economic, investment and tourism potentials of Nha Trang city, KhanhHoa province and the south central region as well. In regard to Vietnam’s preparations, Son said thehosting of the APEC Year 2017 is the focus in the country’s foreign policy fromnow to 2020. Based on Vietnam’s improved position and strength after 30 yearsof reform and international integration and its experience in organising internationalevents, since late 2014, ministries, sectors and localities, especially the Ministryfor Foreign Affairs, have actively made preparations with the hope of ensuringthe success of the APEC Year 2017 in all aspects. Vietnam has coordinated closely with international organisationsand research institutes to timely grasp the region and world’s common trendsand issues of interest. The country has also conducted consultations with otherAPEC members to ensure that the outcomes of the APEC Year 2017 will benefit peopleand businesses in all APEC economies. Vietnam has accumulated experience in hosting eventsof APEC committees and working groups by attending APEC activities in 2015 and2016. The hosting of the APEC Year 2017 has offered a valuable chance for staffin charge of multilateral cooperation to improve their qualifications to servethe country’s international integration in the new period. The successful hosting of SOM1 and related meetings willlay a firm foundation for the implementation of following activities within theframework of the APEC Year 2017 and at the same time, leave a good impressionon international delegates and friends about Nha Trang city and a beautiful,hospitable, dynamic Vietnam – an attractive destination for foreign investorsand tourists, Son concluded.-VNA