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| Ambassador Nguyet Nga and Mr. Eduardo Pedrosa with Vietnamese colleagues. ( Photo: APEC 2017 Secretariat) |
Eduardo Pedrosa, Executive Director of the APEC Secretariat for the 2025-2027 term, said that it was by chance that he was in Vietnam when he received the sad news of Ambassador Nguyen Nguyet Nga’s passing. A few days earlier, he had just had a meeting with some friends at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to discuss support for Vietnam to host APEC Year 2027. Therefore, the sad news came as a big shock – because the memory of Ambassador Nguyen Nguyet Nga, her contributions to APEC and Vietnam’s participation in the framework of this forum are still intact in him.
Mr. Pedrosa said that one of the memories that he will always remember is the warm outdoor lunch that Ambassador Nguyen Nguyet Nga arranged for him, with many Vietnamese dishes that she herself carefully introduced, always caring about whether he found them delicious or not. Not only was it her hospitality, Ambassador Nguyet Nga also made him – a foreigner – feel like he was part of the group, an insider and not an outsider. That is a very unique trait of Ambassador Nguyet Nga, who always knows how to connect people, always knows how to make others feel appreciated.
He recalled that during the years of working together, especially when Vietnam hosted APEC 2017, he witnessed the outstanding role of Ambassador Nguyen Nguyet Nga in initiating dialogue processes, contributing to shaping the strategic vision for APEC cooperation. Few people know that, at that time, it was Ambassador Nguyet Nga who initiated and successfully promoted the organization of the Multi-Stakeholder Dialogue on APEC towards 2020 and the future - an initiative that laid the foundation for the establishment of the APEC Vision Group later.
As Secretary General of the Pacific Economic Cooperation Council (PECC) at that time, Mr. Pedrosa had the opportunity to work and coordinate closely with Ambassador Nguyen Nguyet Nga to organize discussions. "When I heard about the Ambassador's passing, I looked back at APEC archives, reread the exchanges, and once again admired her far-sighted vision. The issues that Ambassador Nguyet Nga was interested in and raised at that time - about changing global order, technological transformation, and the changing geo-economic context - are still relevant today, and have even become more urgent," Mr. Pedrosa emphasized.
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| Mr. Eduardo Pedrosa attended the seminar "Strengthening Action for a Common APEC Vision" held in Hanoi , December 2015. (Photo: APEC Secretariat 2017) |
Mr. Pedrosa said, there is a question that keeps popping up in my mind: If she were here now, what would Ambassador Nguyen Nguyet Nga ask us? Because she is always someone who looks far ahead, asking the right questions at important times – questions that motivate action and open up thinking.
APEC Secretariat Executive Director Pedrosa recalled that in 2017 – when APEC leaders agreed to establish the APEC Vision Group to support the post-2020 vision – Ambassador Nguyen Nguyet Nga Nga was an important driving force in the group’s creation. From the very beginning, as Vice Chair, she clearly demonstrated her leadership qualities, leading discussions, shaping APEC’s goals and long-term orientation.
According to Mr. Pedrosa, without Ambassador Nguyen Nguyet Nga at that time, this group could not have been established, because at that time there were many conflicting opinions within APEC about the path towards the future. But she overcame all differences, connected the parties, and persistently built consensus.
Vietnam is preparing to host APEC again in 2027 – exactly 10 years after the successful organization of APEC Year 2017. For Mr. Pedrosa, this is not only a new milestone for Vietnam, but also an opportunity to continue implementing the ideas and legacies that Ambassador Nguyen Nguyet Nga initiated and nurtured.
Regarding a farewell to his dear and respected friend and colleague, Mr. Pedrosa sadly said, “We will always remember her determination, passion and intelligence. I hope that somewhere, she will feel at peace knowing that her legacy is not only for Vietnam but much more. We owe her a debt that we may never be able to repay, but we will try to live and work according to the noble standards she left behind."
Source: https://baoquocte.vn/giam-doc-dieu-hanh-ban-thu-ky-apec-dai-su-nguyen-nguyet-nga-la-nguoi-ban-dac-biet-nha-leader-leader-heroic-story-not-only-in-viet-nam-321617.html
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