Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Minh Vu (Photo: Pham Kien/VNA)

Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Minh Vu said Vietnam is a pioneer in persuading developed APEC countries to voluntarily share technology and ensure quick, fair, and affordable access to COVID-19 vaccines within the bloc. He said Vietnam will work with other APEC countries to share experience in ensuring social welfare and employment for young people.

Mr. Vu said that because Asia-Pacific is an important region containing major economic, trade, and strategic partners of Vietnam, President Phuc’s participation in the informal APEC leaders’ meeting holds great significance in several aspects.

First, he said, the theme and main content of this meeting match the priorities of Vietnam and other members, including experience in pandemic response, especially boosting vaccine access, recovering economies, keeping supply chains uninterrupted, and helping vulnerable groups.

Second, based on orientations and solutions proposed by President Phuc and other APEC leaders, Vietnam will transform commitments into cooperation programs and action plans, both multilaterally within APEC and bilaterally with strategic partners, particularly partners with large vaccine, financial, and market resources and potential.

Third, because Vietnam is a dynamically developing economy and has made significant contributions to APEC, including the successful organisation of the APEC economic leaders’ meeting in 2006 and 2017 and successes in the COVID-19 fight and economic recovery, its President’s attendance at and contributions to Friday’s meeting once again demonstrates Vietnam’s sense of responsibility regarding APEC cooperation, further elevating its status and promoting APEC’s role in the global economic governance structure, the Deputy Foreign Minister added.