(VOVWORLD) - Vietnam’s President Nguyen Xuan Phuc said on Friday that the COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound and multi-dimensional impact on the world's socio-economy, and this is a special moment that requires APEC members to overcome differences to "think together, act together" for the benefit of themselves and the whole community.
 President Nguyen Xuan Phuc (Photo: VOV)
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President Phuc delivered a speech at the 28th APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting via videoconference on Friday at the invitation of New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern.
Speaking at the conference attended by 21 APEC member economies, the President highlighted key points that APEC needs to implement: Pandemic control and suppression is a prerequisite and mandatory. APEC must promote its role as a regional and global economic growth engine to shoulder the responsibility of building a dynamic, innovative, integrated, and effectively connected Asia-Pacific economy. APEC needs to take the lead in building an Asia-Pacific model of green and inclusive growth to realize the Putrajaya Vision 2040. Economic recovery creates an opportunity for APEC to strongly and deeply innovate its growth model toward greening economic sectors, sustainably adapting to changes, taking people and businesses as the center, and leaving no one behind, he said.
“I propose that APEC expand cooperation in applying the circular economy model, develop sustainable infrastructure, improve capacity to respond to climate change, and ensure energy, water, and food security, and disaster management. APEC needs to quickly implement the Serena Roadmap on Women and Inclusive Growth, building capacity for potential economic groups, such as ethnic minorities and remote communities, and supporting medium and small-sized businesses. Vietnam approves the Aotearoa Action Plan with clear objectives and specific implementation activities,” President Phuc said.
Vietnam has been a responsible member of APEC for the past 23 years, the President said that on the basis of internal resources, Vietnam has promoted international cooperation in economic recovery and sustainable, inclusive development, and contributed to resolving common challenges.
Vietnam continues to stand side by side with APEC member economies to realize the vision of an open, peaceful, dynamic, and resilient Asia-Pacific, for prosperity of all people and future generations, according to the President.