CSOM wraps up informal session

From right: Delegations of Vietnam, the US, Thailand, and Chinese Taipei. Photo: VNGOVNet.

At the session, representatives from 21 APEC member economies discussed some measures to re-ignite the Doha Development Agenda (DDA) for inclusion in final reports to be presented to ministers and leaders of APEC economies.

The senior officials also approved the Hanoi Action Plan with proposed model measures and  detailed schedules to implement cooperation items including support for the multilateral trading system, strengthening collective and individual action plans (CAPs/IAPs), promoting high-quality FTAs/RTAs, facilitating business activities and reinforcing technical and economic cooperation.

From right: Delegations of Indonesia, Hong Kong–China, PR China, and Chile. Photo: VNGOVNet

A report on the APEC reforms to be submitted to the ministers and leaders was discussed and agreed upon, covering three major topics: Strengthening resources and efficiency of the APEC Secretariat; reinforcing association and effectiveness of APEC processes; and drawing up a clear agenda with focuses.

The delegates agreed on the list of 2006 counter terrorism deliverables including the Food Defense Initiative offered by the US and the outcomes of the Food Defense Workshops held in Bangkok in early November; the Australia-proposed initiative to organize Counter-terrorism Financing Workshops; and an initiative delivered by the Philippines on the Counter-terrorism Review handbook.

By Xuân Hồng