The agenda of the week is packed with a series of events, including at least 17 special important meetings from the APEC Ministerial Meeting to the APEC CEO Summit, the Dialogue between APEC leaders and the APEC Business Advisory Council and, most important, the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting on November 18-19. Worthy of note are the five official visits to Vietnam by the heads of state of China, the US, Japan, Russia and Chile.

About 1,500 foreign media workers are turning the spotlight on APEC 14 to cover this important political and economic event in detail as the hosting of APEC 14 has become all the more significant after Vietnam was admitted to the World Trade Organisation (WTO).

To host such a very important political event, Vietnam has experienced numerous challenges and difficulties on all fronts. Above all, the successful organisation of the APEC Ministerial Meetings and APEC Senior Officials’ Meetings early this year proved that Vietnam was capable of organising and managing important international events in the lead up to the 14th APEC Week.

As the host, Vietnam recently put forward many initiatives and recommendations to boost cooperation among APEC member economies in a deeper and more efficient manner. Many delegates who attended APEC-related meetings this year highly valued Vietnam’s initiatives included in the Hanoi Action Plan to implement the Busan Roadmap towards Bogor Goal, as well as in other areas. 

What’s more important is the ebullient atmosphere prevailing over the country to welcome the event. A foreign news agency reported that Vietnam has made every effort to beautify and ensure security for the nearly-1,000-year-old city to host the largest international event of the year. Hanoi, with its gallantry, elegance, thorough preparations and hospitality, has been spruced up to welcome distinguished guests from the 21 APEC member economies.

In a recent interview with the media prior to the APEC Week, State President Nguyen Minh Triet said APEC member economies have been and will be Vietnam’s important partner and this is the country’s consistent policy in the process of integrating deeper into the regional and world economies. He noted that over the past eight years since joining APEC, Vietnam has made important contributions to boosting cooperation among APEC member economies in many fields despite the country’s low development level, inexperience in integration and limitation of human resources.

General speaking, he said, joining APEC has greatly contributed to enhancing Vietnam’s prestige and position in the region and the world, as well as at major political and economic centres.