Hanoi, November 16, 2024 – The Europe Today: On November 15, State President Lương Cường delivered a speech at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders’ Informal Dialogue with Guests in Lima, Peru, during the APEC Leaders’ Week. The dialogue served as a platform for leaders from APEC member economies and representatives from three guest partners—the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), and the Development Bank of Latin American and the Caribbean (CAF)—to exchange ideas aimed at strengthening regional and inter-regional cooperation.
Cường expressed strong support for inter-regional cooperation and connectivity, emphasizing their importance as both an opportunity and a necessity for sustainable development. He highlighted the Asia-Pacific region’s pivotal role in the global economy, noting its scale, growth rate, and international economic integration. However, in the face of a volatile global environment, he stressed that the region cannot thrive in isolation and must collaborate with other regions for mutual advancement.
The President outlined three key principles for fostering cooperation: strengthening dialogue, fostering consensus, and ensuring a peaceful development environment; upholding international law and promoting multilateralism; and ensuring that development benefits are balanced, inclusive, and equitable. He also proposed four main solutions: selective and phased integration processes, improving institutional frameworks, unlocking resources for North-South and South-South cooperation, and prioritizing inter-regional bridges for digital transformation, green transition, trade, and investment.
Cường emphasized Vietnam’s readiness to cooperate with APEC economies and partners to enhance inter-regional connectivity. He highlighted Vietnam’s strategic position in Southeast Asia and its modern logistics network as assets for expanding trade and building inter-regional links. Vietnam’s participation in key free trade agreements such as the CPTPP, RCEP, and EVFTA positions it as a vital player in global value and supply chains. He also committed to strengthening cooperation between the ASEAN Economic Community and Latin America.
APEC leaders and guests praised President Cường’s proposals, acknowledging the critical role of inter-regional economic integration in driving growth and addressing global challenges. The dialogue underscored the need for greater mutual understanding and stronger partnerships among regions, particularly in areas like digital transformation, green transition, and sustainable supply chains.
The same day, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bùi Thanh Sơn participated in a dialogue between APEC leaders and the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC). The dialogue focused on supporting small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), particularly those led by women, and exploring strategies for advancing the Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific (FTAAP) and enhancing cooperation between APEC, ASEAN, and the WTO.
ABAC members called for decisive and coordinated actions from governments and the private sector to achieve the APEC Putrajaya Vision 2040, offering recommendations on digital trade, green transformation, inflation mitigation, and fostering a transparent and efficient business environment.
