APEC and Vietnam’s great strides

TIN LIÊN QUAN
	Vietnam’s hosting of APEC Food Security Week hailed
	APEC officials discuss health care for elderly

In an interview by the World & Vietnam Report, Mr. Le Cong Phung shared his thoughts on APEC future and the experience that Vietnam can draw from hosting the APEC Year more than ten years ago.

Mr. Le Cong Phung, Former Permanent Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs and Head of APEC 2006 Secretariat

The Story of Success

What are your thoughts on the saying that Vietnam’s success is much associated with APEC?

I am of the view that Vietnam’s participation in APEC represents the country’s long stride in its integration. It further promoted Vietnam’s measures, strategies and tactics in economic, trade, tourism, political and security integration. APEC helped Vietnam advancing forward. After the success of APEC 2006, Vietnam’s prestige increased significantly, hence the admission into the WTO was accelerated. Winning the trust of other members, the country was elected, with high number of votes, non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for 2008-2009. Its enhanced position in the international arena can be attributed to many factors, however, the main one is its successful hosting of APEC 2006.

Additionally, activities in APEC 2006 helped deepen Vietnam’s relations with major powers such as the U.S., China, Russia, Japan and Australia. These countries are our main partners in integration and development.

In 2006, Vietnam also expanded greater space and further opened the market for its businesses to explore opportunities with foreign partners. Without APEC ties, Vietnam would still find its path in bridging and integrating into the world, despite existing limitations. 

It can be confirmed that APEC plays an important role in the country’s success. As ASEAN serves as a bridge for Vietnam to step out into the world and to prepare to integrate, APEC represents a greater and more determined advance in its integration.

What is the most important contribution made by Vietnam to APEC nearly two decades after its admission into the Forum?

In APEC, Vietnam has always displayed itself as an active, proactive and responsible member just like in other important international organizations. Furthermore, hosting APEC 2006 has helped Vietnam correctly evaluate key concerns of the Forum, hence bringing it to the table of discussion with other members. Vietnam’s success, I think, is our proposals to promote APEC development were all unanimously adopted by leaders of 21 member economies.    

Firstly, the 14th APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting adopted the Hanoi 2006 Declaration, outlining APEC cooperation orientations in all fields.

Secondly, the Meeting approved the Hanoi Action Plan to implement the Busan roadmap toward the Bogor objectives. The APEC Leaders expressed their appreciation for the significance and substance of the Plan, an initiative by Vietnam, and held the view that it serves as indicative basis for APEC economic and trade cooperation for many years and would enhance and complete the cooperation mechanism in the Forum. This has left deep imprints in APEC history.

Thirdly, the Meeting also endorsed the reform package, which comprised of concrete measures to revitalize the Forum and make it more efficient. In fact, the idea on APEC reform was first proposed 6 years before 2006 but could not be implemented. Vietnam, as the host, put forward this initiative again and was welcomed by other members. This took on special significance to APEC future. Vietnam APEC 2006 was, therefore, considered the beginning of APEC reform.

Leaders attending the APEC Summit prepare for a family photo wearing traditional Vietnamese clothes, known as the "ao dai", in Ha Noi November 19, 2006.

Lasting Vitality

Integration used to dominate world economy and trade for many decades, however this seems to be standing still and protectionism is rising. Do you think that this would influence APEC development and prosperity in the future?

This is the concern of many countries. However, we should view APEC differently. APEC is a “full - fledged” economic and trade Forum and is developing in a relatively stable manner, though we have seen debates among members, especially between the U.S. and China can be tense or  relaxed now and then. However, it is those debates that helps APEC vitality last.

I do not think that these have much impact on APEC. U.S. interest in APEC differs from those in TPP. If the U.S. “dilutes itself” in the Forum, China would gain advantage contrary to U.S. desire. Hence, the U.S. would continue to assert its role in the Forum. A front that both the U.S. and China are engaged would continue. As a matter of fact, many economics would like to join APEC.

You have just mentioned intense competition between the U.S. and China in APEC. Did the competition pose any difficulties to the host?

The U.S. and China have always been in intense competition in not only economic and trade problems but also politics and strategic relations among others. I think there would be heated debates in Vietnam, creating difficulty for the host. However, with careful and thorough preparations, tact and experience drawn from hosting many international events like APEC 2006, I am convinced that Vietnam will host APEC 2017 successfully under the theme that we have selected “Creating new Dynamism and Fostering a shared Future”.

Five Experiences

As someone who participated thoroughly in the preparation and hosting of APEC 2006, what were experiences for Vietnam?

Firstly, we have to have correct guidelines, appropriate approaches to different issues and the support of other members. Most important, if we have the support of other members it would be a smooth sailing. We should persuade friends of our intentions as early as possible. When “engaged”, the host should observe impartiality and act in APEC’s interest. We should find ways to incorporate rationally our interest and actively putting the proposals in APEC interest as our own interest.

Secondly, in the preparation and hosting of the event, difficulties are bound to crop up, however, identifying them as early as possible and constantly communicating on what might arise would not land us in untenable positions.

Thirdly, we need smooth cooperation with other ministries and branches. Though different tasks have been assigned to other ministries, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is mainly responsible to report to the higher level. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs should follow closely with other ministries.

Fourthly, we should promote training, especially for provinces. This includes the provision of necessary information to local leaders. We should select the best volunteers and liaison officers for the Leaders’ Meeting. Moreover, we should maximize all opportunities to learn from the experience of other economics.

Lastly, I should mention the enthusiasm, high determination and a sense of full responsibility of those directly involved.

Thank you!

APEC promotes investment climate reforms Promoting trade and investment, and reforming the investment climate in APEC member economies were discussed at a meeting of the Investment Experts’ Group (IEG) in ...

APEC’s action plan for sustainable fisheries discussed The APEC Ocean and Fisheries Working Group (OFWG) opened its ninth annual meeting in Can Tho city on August 21 to discuss a common action ...

APEC seeks sponsors’ technical support for corruption prevention The APEC Anti-Corruption and Transparency Working Group (ACTWG) held a meeting with sponsors on August 21 on the framework of the ongoing third Senior Officials’ ...