He made the remark during an interview, noting that the future of APEC is an issue high on the agenda, as the deadline for the Bogor Goals realization is nearing while skepticism about globalization and free trade benefits is emerging in certain places around the world.
Deputy Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son – APEC 2017 SOM Chair. Photo: Huu Duong
The Bogor Goals were set two decades ago, and there are only three years left before the deadline for their realization. At the freshly concluded second SOM (SOM2), APEC member economies reiterated the resolve to promote regional economic connectivity and implement the set trade and investment liberalization targets. They also agreed to speed up the liberalization of services and investment, and reduce non-tariff barriers – the fields in which there hasn’t been substantial progress to achieve the Bogor Goals.
Son said cooperation in APEC is a long-term process with the common goal of development and prosperity in the region. At this SOM2, member economies also discussed measures for maintaining APEC as a driving force of growth and economic connectivity in the region in the new context.
Delegates agreed to combine the realization of the Bogor Goals with ensuring the sustainability in development and that people and businesses can contribute to and benefit from achievements in the integration and economic connectivity process. They also agreed to improve the member economies’ adaptability to and creativity in the digital era. These are the factors helping to raise the role of APEC, he noted.
The deputy minister said one of the four priorities for APEC cooperation in 2017 proposed by Vietnam, which is deepening regional economic integration, is useful for the realization of the Bogor Goals.
To carry out this priority, Vietnam, as host of APEC 2017, suggested many initiatives to help orient APEC’s long-term cooperation in the next decades. Those initiatives included the organisation of the Multi-Stakeholder Dialogue on APEC Toward 2020 and Beyond on May 16. The event attracted much attention from APEC members and international and regional organisations, creating a consensus on the need to accelerate the realization of the Bogor Goals and build a post-2020 vision for APEC.
Vietnam has also worked with other APEC member economies to promote many cooperation initiatives in certain spheres, including a proposal on building documents on facilitating trade and cross-border e-commerce, Son added.
The official said to shape the future of APEC, it is of critical importance to consolidate APEC’s position as the leading economic cooperation forum in the region, a pioneer in promoting integration, connectivity, and free trade and investment, bringing prosperity to businesses and people.
APEC has an advantage of being flexible and non-binding, allowing it to discuss new contents. Therefore, it can continue initiating new ideas for cooperation and connectivity in the Fourth Industrial Revolution, he said.
The deputy minister expressed his belief that APEC will keep developing in a more sustainable fashion on the basis of economic, financial and social inclusion. It will continue to have a strong role and voice to ensure that all people can participate in and benefit from attainments of trade and investment liberalization, and that no one is left behind in globalization.
Source: VNA