The 2023 APEC Summit takes place at a time when the global and regional situation continues to witness major, complex and unpredictable changes. Strategic competition between powers, geopolitical conflicts and polarisation are becoming more intense, directly affecting cooperation at multilateral forums.
Flash points, especially the conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, are witnessing complex developments. The world economy is recovering, but such recovery is unsteady and faced with many challenges. Climate change, natural disasters, and epidemics have a profound impact on the lives of people around the world, as well as on the implementation progress of the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
In this context, countries continue to implement policies to support economic recovery, promote digital transformation and green transformation, and ensure energy and food security. In particular, the Asia-Pacific region continues to take the lead in efforts to recover, develop and connect economically and continues to be a key region of strategic competition between powers. APEC cooperation has recorded many positive results, contributing to the promotion of cooperation, connectivity and economic integration in the Asia-Pacific region and the world.
2023 marks a special milestone in APEC cooperation — the 30th anniversary of the first APEC Summit held in the US in 1993. Under the theme “Creating a Resilient and Sustainable Future for All”, APEC Year 2023 focuses on three priorities: interconnectivity, innovation and inclusivity. The goal is to build a resilient and interconnected region that promotes inclusive economic prosperity; promote an innovative environment for a sustainable future; and strengthen an equitable and inclusive future for all.
This year is also significant in that it marks the 25th anniversary of Vietnam’s joining APEC (1998-2023). Vietnam continues to identify the Asia-Pacific region and the APEC forum as an important priority in its foreign policy and in its policy of promoting and elevating multilateral diplomacy, helping to protect and promote its security and development interests and enhance the country’s international position. During 25 years of participation and cooperation within the APEC framework, Vietnam has always been an active and responsible member, making substantive and effective contributions. In particular, Vietnam has hosted the APEC Summit twice in 2006 and 2017. Vietnam has also chaired and worked with other APEC members to propose, promote, and implement many APEC initiatives and cooperation projects, which have been highly appreciated by its members.
The Vietnam-US relationship has developed strongly, with an important milestone being the establishment of a comprehensive strategic partnership for peace, cooperation, and sustainable development on the occasion of US President Joe Biden’s state visit to Vietnam at the invitation of General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Nguyen Phu Trong in September 2023. The two countries signed many cooperation agreements on economics, science-technology, education-training and humanitarian assistance, including commercial contracts worth billions of US dollars.
President Vo Van Thuong’s trip to attend the 2023 APEC Summit and engage in bilateral activities in the US is an important foreign activity, continuing to affirm and implement the 13th Party Congress’s foreign policy on proactive comprehensive and extensive international integration, promoting the elevation of multilateral foreign relations, helping to promote peace, cooperation, economic linkages, and regional connectivity.
The Vietnamese senior leader’s participation in the APEC Summit demonstrates that Vietnam attaches great importance to APEC cooperation and affirms Vietnam’s active, proactive, responsible and effective participation and contribution in APEC as well as at multilateral and international forums.
The Vietnamese President’s meetings and exchanges within the framework of the APEC Summit contribute to promoting cooperation between Vietnam and other countries and its partners in a deeper and more effective manner, especially in the fields in which Vietnam has potentials and advantages, thereby promoting the Vietnamese country, people and socio-economic development achievements to international friends.
President Vo Van Thuong’s bilateral meetings with US leaders on this occasion will continue to emphasise both sides’ respect and efforts to consolidate and enhance political trust, promote the Vietnam-US strategic partnership to grow more profound and substantive, bringing practical benefits to the people of both countries, contributing to strengthening peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world at large.
On the occasion of the trip, the President’s meetings with representatives of the Vietnamese community in the US are expected to contribute to promoting the great solidarity and strength of the entire nation, mobilising overseas Vietnamese people to integrate into the host country as well as look to their homeland and contribute to its socio-economic development.
May President Vo Van Thuong’s trip to attend the 2023 APEC Summit and take part in bilateral activities in the US be a great success, thereby affirming Vietnam’s proactive participation and contribution to the common work, joining hands with the international community to create a resilient and sustainable future.
