APEC Economic Leaders' Week 2017 kicked off in Danang

The 25th APEC Economic Leaders' Week has begun, with various high-level meetings on schedule

State President Tran Dai Quang will host the key events of the event, including the 25^th APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting (AELM), the AELM Gala Dinner and Cultural Performance, the ABAC Dialogue with APEC Economic Leaders, and the APEC-ASEAN Informal Dialogue on November 10-11.APEC 2017: New vision and position of Vietnam

President Quang will also deliver a keynote speech at the APEC CEO Summit, which is held on November 8-10.

“Hosting APEC 2017 is a top priority in Vietnam’s foreign policy agenda, as it aspires to make greater contribution to an ever-thriving Asia-Pacific region. After more than 30 years of reforms and extensive regional and international integration, Vietnam today is a highly open and dynamic economy, projected to become one of the ten fastest growing economies in the world,” President Quang stated.

He said that APEC is at a crucial juncture. A rapidly changing world and a transforming Asia-Pacific are presenting the community with unprecedented opportunities and challenges. The Fourth Industrial Revolution, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and the Paris Agreement on Climate Change have laid important foundations for sustainable, inclusive, and equitable global development.

Yet, the confluence of prolonged economic stagnation, new waves of protectionism, terrorism, regional conflicts, and climate change, amongst others, pose ever more complex and interrelated non-traditional security challenges exerting far-reaching impacts on each and every economy, business, and inpidual across the world.

“More than ever, APEC must continue to uphold its leading and pioneering role in creating new drivers to build Asia-Pacific as a region of peace, stability and dynamic, sustainable, and inclusive development. Vietnam therefore proposes “Creating New Dynamism, Fostering a Shared Future” as the overarching theme for APEC 2017,” the president stated.

Living up to the theme "Creating New Dynamism, Fostering a Shared Future," the week-long series of events will attempt to create further momentum for regional trade and integration

During AELW, the president's spouse Nguyen Thi Hien, will host the Leaders' Spouse Programme in Hoi An, Quang Nam, and Danang on November 11.

The Vietnam Business Summit will also be organised on November 7. Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc is expected to attend and deliver a keynote address.

Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Pham Binh Minh, together with Minister of Industry and Trade Tran Tuan Anh, will chair the 29^th APEC Ministerial Meeting on November 8. The 2017 APEC SOM Chair, Vietnamese Permanent Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Ambassador Bui Thanh Son, will chair the APEC Concluding Senior Officials' Meeting on November 6-7.

On this occasion, the ABAC Meeting from November 4-6, and APEC Voices of the Future from November 6-10, will also be held.