APEC SOM2: Delegates discuss various “hot topics” on fourth day

At the annual conference of the APEC Study Center Consortium (ASCC), on May 12-13  with seven sessions, delegates discuss issues closely related to the APEC cooperation prospect in trade and investment liberalization; regional economic links; self-reliant, sustainable and inclusive growth; human resources development; micro-, small-, and medium-sized enterprises; labor mobility and more. They will also propose measures and initiatives that contribute to strengthening regional cooperation. The conference was attended by more than 80 academics and scholars from APEC study centers, universities, Vietnam’s research institutions and international organizations. Permanent Deputy Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son, who is also the APEC 2017 SOM Chair, attended the conference and delivered the opening remarks.

At the “Workshop on Skills Education and Training and Social Protection,” Deputy Minister of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs Doan Mau Diep pointed out the Industry 4.0’s breakthrough impacts on education, vocational training and social security. He also highlighted new qualification and skill requirements for laborers. In the new context, social security programs of APEC member economies need to be adaptable to demographic and socio-economic changes as well as the effects of climate change. The workshop is Vietnam’s initiative within the framework of the APEC Human Resources Development Working Group (HRDWG).

Also within the HRDWG framework, the “Workshop on Action Plan of the APEC Education Strategy” entered its second working day. Approved in 2016, the APEC Education Strategy aims at building an APEC close-knit and quality education community by 2030, supporting sustainable economic growth and increase in social welfare while creating jobs for APEC member economies.

The Sub-Committee on Standard and Conformance (SCSC) held three events on the fourth working day of the SOM2 and related meetings. They are Wine Regulatory Forum Technical Meeting, Maximum Residual Limit Meeting, and Food Safety Cooperation Forum, of which delegates at the third event summarized results gained after three previous working days.

The Policy Partnership on Science, Technology and Innovation (PPSTI) held its second plenary session. One of the notably discussed topics of the meeting was the content of the Policy Statement on Advocacy for Science to be presented to APEC leaders. The same day, the Committee on Trade and Investment (CTI) organized the “Trade Policy Dialogue on Identifying Building Blocks for Facilitating Digital Trade,” focusing on discussing advantages, difficulties and assessing the impact of policy frameworks on digital trade in APEC member economies. The Automotive Dialogue (AD) continued its plenary sessions and technical discussions.

Translated by Huu Duong