VN supports APEC to strengthen regional links

Deputy PM, FM Pham Binh Minh (3rd from right) attends the 26th APEC Ministerial Meeting- Photo: VNA

He made the statement during the 26th APEC Foreign and Economic Ministerial Meeting which opened in Beijing on November 7.

Highly valuing the forum's development process, Deputy PM, FM Minh called on member economies to strengthen cooperation on sustainable development, narrowing development gaps and ensuring social welfare, poverty eradication, gender equality, and collective responses to global challenges.

It was also necessary to concentrate on economic and technical affiliation and enhance the capacity of developing economy members as well as take into consideration the development level of member economies in cooperation, he added.

Deputy PM, FM Minh urged member economies to continue active support for the sub-regional and regional cooperation programs, including the establishment of the ASEAN Community in 2015, narrowing development gaps within the bloc and the Greater Mekong Sub-Region.

With 21 members, APEC represets nearly 40% of the world's population, 55% of global economic output and 44% of total trade.

APEC aims to boost sustainable economic growth built on the three pillars of trade and investment liberalisation, business facilitation, and economic-technological cooperation.

Viet Nam joined APEC in 1998, and since then the country has played an active role in a number of initiatives.

Last September, the 6th APEC Ministerial Meeting on Human Resources Development was held in Ha Noi.

Viet Nam will host the 25^th APEC Summit in 2017./.

Source:  www.chinhphu.vn