APEC Viet Nam 2006 - First International Preparatory Meeting
One of the major planning events in the lead-up to APEC Viet Nam 2006 began today in Ha Noi.
The 'International Symposium on the Preparation for APEC Viet Nam 2006' will identify opportunities for deepening cooperation between Member Economies and propose the theme and sub-themes for the upcoming APEC year.
The Symposium has been opened by H.E. Mr. Vu Khoan, Deputy Prime Minister of Viet Nam.
In his keynote speech, H.E. Mr. Khoan said that "Viet Nam will take over the responsibility of the host economy from Korea at the end of this year. We will, therefore, keep on striving to solve the challenges facing APEC and making better changes for our community".
H.E. Mr. Khoan also emphasized that since the introduction of the Renovation and Open-door Policy along with the integration policy over the past 10 years, Viet Nam has become the active member of international and regional cooperative institutes and currently in the final stage of WTO accession negotiation.
Hosting APEC in 2006 he said will help to encourage greater economic openness and interaction and enabled Viet Nam to engaged more broadly with the global economy.
In his Welcoming Remarks, Deputy Foreign Minister and Head of Viet Nam's Inter-Ministerial Task Force for the APEC Year 2006, Mr Vu Dzung, said the symposium will contribute to a heightened level of preparedness as 2006 approaches.
"Viet Nam will make every effort to make the 2006 year a success for each and every economy as well as for a shared future of an APEC region of prosperity, peace and stability," Mr Vu said.
"We will also try to further contribute to the development of APEC and keep APEC on the right track towards the anticipated prospect." Mr. Vu said.
From the early months of 2006 there will be a number of ministerial and official events that will conclude with the Leaders' Meeting in November 18-19. Each of these events will contribute to APEC's free trade and investment goals through increased cooperation across a number on sectors.
The symposium this week will also seek to establish a working relationship between the Member Economies that are hosting the APEC Process between 2005 and 2008. These economies are Korea (2005), Australia (2007) and Peru (2008).
The 'International Symposium on the Preparation for APEC Viet Nam 2006' is being held in Ha Noi from July 21 to 22.
Symposium participants will include the Chair of the 2005 APEC Senior Officials Meetings, Senior Officials from Member Economies, the Executive Director and Deputy Executive Director of the APEC Secretariat, the Chairs of APEC Committees and various working fora, the Chair of APEC's Budget and Management Committee, business delegates and a range of representatives from Member Economies and international forums.