APEC 2025: Promoting cooperation, connectivity and sustainable development

Photo caption — President Luong Cuong and APEC economic leaders pose for a group photo. Photo: Lam Khanh/VNA

In the context of the world economy in the process of recovery and facing many uncertainties, this Conference focuses on discussing measures to promote connectivity, enhance self-reliance and move towards inclusive and sustainable development.

Attending the Conference, President Luong Cuong and the Vietnamese delegation had many important multilateral and bilateral activities, conveying the message of a proactive, responsible and creative Vietnam in regional cooperation. The President attended the APEC Leaders' Meeting; spoke at the APEC CEO Summit; met with many leaders of APEC member economies, international organizations and large corporations and enterprises in the region.

During the discussion sessions with APEC leaders, the President spent a lot of time mentioning global issues, emphasizing new trends of strategic significance for the future of the world and the region, issues of energy and sustainable energy transition, strong advances in science and technology, especially digital transformation and artificial intelligence.

Speaking at the first meeting of APEC leaders with the theme "Towards a resilient, connected and far-reaching region", the President stressed that APEC economies need to strengthen policy coordination, consolidate strategic trust and promote substantive cooperation to overcome global challenges. The President pointed out that geopolitical fluctuations, supply chain disruptions, and the impacts of digital transformation and climate change are requiring APEC to take concrete, effective and inclusive steps. Meanwhile, at the second meeting, the President emphasized that science, technology, innovation and digital transformation are the foundation for a new development phase associated with rapid and sustainable growth; and "innovation is the cause of all people, of the whole society, requiring the participation of all levels, all sectors, business communities of all economic sectors and all people".

From Vietnam's experience and the region's common development perspective, the President also proposed proposals and solutions for APEC cooperation to become more substantive and effective, responding to the rapid changes taking place and bringing practical benefits to the development of the region and each member economy. The spirit of initiative, responsibility, the approach promoting multilateralism, solidarity, international cooperation, as well as recommendations and solutions suitable to Vietnam's reality have made important contributions to the overall success of the Conference, thereby continuing to enhance Vietnam's role and position in APEC, as well as multilateral mechanisms.

It can be said that the President has conveyed to the APEC community a clear message about Vietnam's vision, policies and strong determination for innovation, especially the major Resolutions on national development in the new era. The President emphasized that in a world full of instability, uncertainty, turmoil and disruption, Vietnam offers businesses stability, safety and opportunities for sustainable success. Accompanying Vietnam, businesses will have a safe and stable political and social environment; a favorable and transparent investment and business environment; a large market of more than 100 million people; a dynamic, strongly growing and globally connected economy; a young, abundant and well-trained workforce; and an increasingly complete and synchronous infrastructure system.

And as affirmed by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Hang: "Through this activity, Vietnam has deeply shared about development orientation, promoted investment attraction, promoted cooperation in priority areas such as digital transformation, green transformation, innovation and development of high-quality human resources. The speeches and messages of President Luong Cuong have made a strong impression on leaders and the business community about a Vietnam that is determined to innovate, create, and integrate to rise up and progress with the times in the current period of profound transformation".

Within the framework of the Conference, President Luong Cuong also had many bilateral meetings and exchanges with leaders and heads of delegations of most APEC member economies, focusing on promoting economic-trade cooperation, investment, science and technology, digital transformation and artificial intelligence, including important exchanges with General Secretary and President of China Xi Jinping and President of the United States Donald Trump. These meetings contributed to consolidating the foundation of trustworthy cooperation, opening up new cooperation opportunities in line with Vietnam's development orientation in the period of deep integration.
In particular, the President affirmed that Vietnam is ready to take on the role of host of APEC 2027, committed to coordinating with member economies to build a substantive agenda, promoting deep economic integration, innovation and sustainable development. APEC members and the business community have enthusiastically supported, expressed confidence and expressed their expectation to come to Vietnam, to Phu Quoc in 2027 to attend the activities of APEC 2027 hosted by Vietnam. This message received a positive response, showing the confidence of APEC members in Vietnam's capacity and international prestige.

On the sidelines of the APEC Summit Week, President Luong Cuong had an effective bilateral working program. At the talks with President Lee Jae Myung of the Republic of Korea, the two leaders affirmed their determination to effectively implement the Vietnam-Korea Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, and agreed to strengthen cooperation in the fields of high-tech industry, technology transfer, new energy, labor and people-to-people exchange. The two sides agreed to coordinate to effectively implement existing cooperation mechanisms and promote the substantive implementation of signed cooperation documents between the two countries; committed to promoting mutually beneficial economic cooperation, in line with the development goals of both sides, creating a major and substantive shift in cooperation. It can be said that the talks between President Luong Cuong and President Lee Jae Myung contributed to deepening political trust and the Vietnam-Korea Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

In addition, the President also attended the "Vietnam Day" event in Gyeongju, where there is a strong historical and cultural relationship between the two peoples associated with the Vietnamese Ly family settling in Korea, a symbol of cultural exchange and long-term friendship between the two countries. This event is not only an opportunity to introduce the image of the country, people and culture of Vietnam to Korean friends, but also contributes to strengthening understanding, trust and cooperation between the two countries - the foundation for the sustainable development of the Vietnam - Korea Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. The President also met with the Vietnamese community in the Southeast region of Korea, thereby showing that the Party and State always identify the overseas Vietnamese community as an inseparable part of the great national unity bloc, a valuable resource of the country, as well as affirming the care, companionship and creation of favorable conditions for people to stabilize their lives, promote the spirit of solidarity, turn towards the Fatherland and contribute to the Vietnam - Korea friendship.

It can be seen that the President's working trip to Korea this time was a great success in both multilateral and bilateral aspects. Vietnam has clearly demonstrated its mettle and responsibility in contributing ideas and initiatives to APEC cooperation, while affirming its position as one of the dynamic, connected and creative economies in the region; at the same time, it has also opened up new directions of cooperation in relations with APEC economies. The President's working trip once again demonstrated Vietnam's determination and vision in building a region of peace, stability, prosperity and sustainable development.

Source: https://baotintuc.vn/thoi-su/apec-2025-thuc-day-hop-tac-ket-noi-va-phat-trien-ben-vung-20251102122210746.htm