State President’s remarks at 2016 APEC Summit

The following is the full remarks of State President Tran Dai Quang delivered at the closing ceremony of the 24th APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting in Lima, Peru on November 20.

Mr. Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen, 

First of all, allow me to express my most sincere thanks to you all for the whole-hearted support extended to Viet Nam to be the host of APEC 2017, especially your close cooperation during the recent preparation process. 

Hosting APEC 2017 is a top priority in Viet Nam’s foreign policy agenda, reflecting our aspiration to make active contribution to an ever thriving Asia-Pacific region. After more than 30 years of reform and extensive regional and international integration, Viet Nam today is a highly open and dynamic economy, projected to become one of the ten fastest growing economies in the world.
  
All preparations have been made to make 2017 another successful year of APEC. We wish to welcome all of you to Viet Nam to attend APEC 2017 activities, held all over the country. 

Ladies and Gentlemen, 

Our discussions over the past two days indicate that we are living at a crucial moment in a rapidly changing world and a transforming Asia-Pacific. 

Unprecedented opportunities and challenges are lying ahead of us. The Fourth Industrial Revolution, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Paris Agreement on Climate Change have created important foundations for sustainable, inclusive and equitable development for mankind. Yet, the confluence of prolonged economic stagnation, new waves of protectionism, terrorism, regional conflicts and climate change along with other, ever more complex and interrelated non-traditional security challenges are exerting far-reaching impacts on each and every economy, business and individual across the world. 

More than ever, APEC must continue to uphold its leading and pioneering role in creating new drivers to build the Asia-Pacific into a region of peace, stability and dynamic, integrated and sustainable development. I therefore would like to propose the theme for APEC 2017: “ Creating New Dynamism, Fostering a Shared Future.”

Accordingly, APEC economies should seek and create new dynamism in order to: 

- Accelerate the accomplishment of the Bogor Goals on trade and investment liberalization by 2020 according to its roadmap; 

- Deepen regional integration through the efforts to revitalize economic, trade and investment ties, promote connectivity in all the three domains – infrastructure, institution and people; promote global value chains connectivity; enhance sub-regional and remote area connectivity, promote sustainable tourism, expand cultural, youth and student exchanges; 

- Further sustainable, inclusive and equitable growth, accelerate structural reforms, raise productivity and develop high-quality human resources. In this regard, it is essential to better tap into the opportunities offered by the digital revolution;

- Improve enterprises’ competitiveness and innovation, especially micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the digital economy and the internet of things, unleash the great potentials of the public-private partnership and businesses, especially women-led enterprises and young entrepreneurs. 

- Increase the resilience and inclusiveness of APEC economies, particularly in promoting the development of education, employment, healthcare, gender quality, sustainable rural and agricultural development to adapt to climate change, ensure food, energy and resources security, especially water resources. 

Ladies and Gentlemen, 

The 21st century is expected to be the century of Asia-Pacific, home to the world’s most dynamic economies. Throughout its 27 years of establishment and development, the APEC Forum has proven to be an ever more responsive and effective mechanism, making important contributions to regional prosperity. And now is the time for APEC to reaffirm its role as an idea incubator and a driver for regional growth and connectivity. 

We should continue to discuss the future vision and direction for APEC after 2020; that is, working together towards an “ Asia-Pacific partnership for sustainable and inclusive development in the 21st century.” 

Once again, I would like to express my deep gratitude to the host country of Peru and President Kuczynski for the wonderful reception accorded to us in this beautiful and hospitable capital of Lima. I greatly appreciate the role of the host country and especially the excellent chairmanship of Mr. President that has led APEC 2016 to the successful conclusion with many important agreements. 

On this occasion, I have the great honor to extend my invitation to all of you to the 25th APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting to be held from 10 to 11 November 2017 in the dynamic coastal city of Da Nang, one of the leading economic centers of Viet Nam. 

Thank you very much