Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc addresses the  APEC Meeting of Ministers Responsible for Trade in Hanoi on May 20, 2017.

The Prime Minister said that APEC is characterised by its member economies’ differences in terms of development levels as well as diversity in culture, political institutions, and development policy:   “APEC should step up economic and technical cooperation, experience and information sharing during the process of policy-making and implementation of cooperation programs to enhance the effectiveness and distinguish APEC cooperation from that of other organizations and forums in the region and the world", Prime Minister Phuc stressed. He added: "We also need to expand cooperation with other regions to ensure increased connectivity and development for all. However, cooperation plans and their goals might fail to turn into reality when we lack trust, political determination and coordination to safeguard a peaceful environment, ensure security and safety for investment, and the flows of goods in the region.”

The Prime Minister expressed his hope that the Ministers would have fruitful and productive discussions to approve initiatives to report to the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting this November to steer the APEC ship towards a brighter and more prosperous future for every citizen in the region.