APEC Senior Officials’ Meeting promotes regional economic cooperation

At the third APEC Senior Officials' Meeting

The second meeting of the APEC vision group and nearly 80 dialogues and meetings of committees and working groups were held at the same time to discuss cooperation in various fields. These were some of the most important events in preparation for the APEC Economic Leaders’ Week 2018 in Port Moresby in November.

The functions drew nearly 2,000 delegates from 21 APEC economies. 

Representatives from Vietnam’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Industry and Trade, Ministry of National Defence, Ministry of Planning and Investment, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Ministry of Health, and the Government Inspectorate participated in the events and made active contributions.

As APEC faces new opportunities and challenges, the meetings aimed to discuss the implementation of priorities for APEC 2018 and promote the remarkable outcomes of APEC 2017 held in Vietnam, especially in building the post-2020 APEC Vision and boosting inclusive growth, digital economy, food security, women’s economic empowerment, and natural resources.

Participants emphasised the need to step up cooperation to maintain regional economic links as well as consolidate the role of APEC as a leading economic cooperation mechanism in the region, thus promoting free and open trade and investment, generating jobs, and improving the quality of life for people in the Asia-Pacific region.

After three decades of formation, APEC prepares to enter a new period of development, particularly in the context of the digital era, with member economies reiterating their determination to build the post-2020 APEC vision with long-term cooperation orientations for the benefit of both people and businesses.

This is the first time Papua New Guinea has hosted APEC activities despite its 25-year membership. 

Established in 1989, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) is comprised of 21 economies, including Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Peru, the Philippines, Russia, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, the US, and Vietnam.