Ambassador Nguyen Quoc Dung: Vietnam supports the principles and processes of APEC.

President Vo Van Thuong and his wife will lead a high-level Vietnamese delegation to attend the Asia -Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) High-Level Week 2023, combined with bilateral activities, in San Francisco, USA, from November 14-17.

On this occasion, Vietnamese Ambassador to the United States Nguyen Quoc Dung gave an interview to a VNA reporter in Washington ahead of President Vo Van Thuong's trip.

Vietnamese Ambassador to the United States Nguyen Quoc Dung. Photo courtesy of VNA.

Ambassador, could you please explain the significance of this year's Asia- Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Forum in the United States for the development and security of the Asia-Pacific region? APEC is a regional economic forum comprising 21 member economies, including some of the world's largest. In the context of the current global situation, which presents many uncertainties and challenges, this APEC forum will provide an opportunity for leaders of these 21 economies to discuss these challenges and measures to overcome them, as well as to coordinate policies among the economies, aiming for the fastest possible economic recovery while ensuring healthy and robust economic development in the future. The theme of this year's APEC, "Building a Resilient and Sustainable Future for All," reflects the forum's objective. With three key focuses on connectivity, innovation, and inclusiveness, I am confident that the leaders of the 21 economies will discuss many issues of current concern to the world's economies. The most prominent, important, and pressing issues today, such as maintaining sustainable supply chains, digital transformation, digital trade, energy transition, combating climate change, and the green economy, are matters of great global interest. One of the significant aspects of this APEC meeting is the 30th anniversary of the first APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting held on Black Island in the United States, initiated by then-US President Bill Clinton. The fact that the United States is hosting this meeting for the third time demonstrates its commitment to the region's economic development and its responsibility to the global economy. At the invitation of President Joe Biden of the United States of America, President Vo Van Thuong and his wife will lead a high-level Vietnamese delegation to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) 2023 Summit Week, combined with bilateral activities, in San Francisco, USA, from November 14-17. Ambassador, could you please share your thoughts on the significance of President Vo Van Thuong's trip?

President Vo Van Thuong's participation in this year's APEC forum demonstrates Vietnam's support for multilateralism in general, and for the APEC process in particular. Vietnam is a very active member; in fact, it has twice held the chairmanship and hosted the APEC Summit. Vietnam has made many contributions and initiatives to promote the APEC process, and its participation also shows its support for APEC principles and processes. Vietnam is ready to cooperate with member countries to further develop this process, ensuring sustainable economic development and bringing about new opportunities, advantages, and especially conditions to overcome current difficulties, inadequacies, instabilities, and challenges posed by the complex global situation. Attending APEC this year in the United States is also an opportunity for Vietnam to promote bilateral relations with the United States after the two sides upgraded their relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. On the occasion of attending APEC, President Vo Van Thuong and his delegation also had many activities in San Francisco, meeting with US government officials as well as academics and businesses to implement the agreements reached when deciding to upgrade to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Thank you, Ambassador!

Kieu Trang - Doan Hung (VNA)