President Nguyen Xuan Phuc is attending the APEC Informal Leaders’ Retreat in a virutal form.

Themed “Confronted by COVID-19, what are the opportunities for the Asia-Pacific region to collaborate to move through the health crisis, and to accelerate economic recovery in a manner that lays the foundations for a better future?”, the retreat is being held in the context of the global economy facing serious challenges due to the pandemic. Efforts to cope with the epidemic have been enhanced, especially the production and distribution of COVID-19 vaccine and the implementation of community vaccination.

The countries have prioritised economic recovery strategies following the pandemic. Despite continuing to affirm its leading role in boosting economic linkages and maintaining cooperation in the Asia-Pacific, APEC is facing many challenges as great-power competition is increasing and many new cooperation frameworks have appeared, causing difficulties in reaching consensus and promoting breakthrough commitments. The year 2021 is of great significance to APEC because it is the first year for the implementation of APEC Vision until 2040. APEC cooperation is expected to be strengthened following the difficult times.

Over the past 20 years of joining APEC, Vietnam has proactively and actively contributed to the forum, contributing to promoting peace, stability, cooperation and economic connectivity in the region. As one of the few members to have successfully assumed the role of APEC chair twice, Vietnam has proposed many initiatives and cooperation projects as well as made contributions to APEC’s governance. Notably, Vietnam proposed initiatives and led and coordinated the development process of a plan to implement APEC Vision until 2040. In the context of complicated epidemic, Vietnam has actively coordinated with other member countries to maintain the forum’s momentum cooperation.

President Nguyen Xuan Phuc and APEC leaders will discuss the strengthening of cooperation while finding solutions to overcome health crisis and accelerate economic recovery in Asia-Pacific and the world. Participating in the APEC Informal Leaders’ Retreat, Vietnam will continue to affirm its role and voice in the forum as well as contribute to boosting the regional and global cooperation to respond and overcome the pandemic and restoring economic growth. In addition, Vietnam shows its support to New Zealand, the host of APEC 2021.

President Nguyen Xuan Phuc’s attendance at the APEC Informal Leaders’ Retreat is an important external event towards the implementation of the policy of the 13th Party Congress on proactive and active international integration in a comprehensive, deep and effective manner while at the same time raising the level of multilateral diplomacy. Thereby, the relationship between Vietnam and important members and partners in APEC will be deepened, contributing to peace, cooperation and development in the region and the world.