Minister Nguyen Hong Dien spoke at Discussion Session 1, emphasizing APEC's role in considering and addressing risks and challenges to ensure no one is left behind.
Within the framework of the Asia- Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Forum, the 31st APEC Ministers on Trade Meeting (MRT 31) was held from May 15 to 16, 2025 under the chairmanship of Mr. Inkyo Cheong, Minister of Trade of the Republic of Korea - Chairman of MRT 31.
The conference was attended by 21 APEC member economies, the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC) and leaders of many international organizations including the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), the World Trade Organization (WTO), the ASEAN Secretariat, and the Pacific Economic Cooperation Council (PECC).
The Vietnamese delegation was led by Minister Nguyen Hong Dien, along with representatives from the Government Office , the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and a number of units under the Ministry of Industry and Trade.
The 31st MRT Conference takes place in the context of the world economy facing many challenges such as geopolitical tensions, military conflicts disrupting supply chains, challenges related to climate change and the US's reciprocal tax policy.
The theme of APEC 2025: "Building a Sustainable Future" is in line with the APEC Putrajaya Vision 2040, towards an open, resilient and peaceful Asia-Pacific.
This year, the host country Korea focuses on addressing common challenges, promoting innovation, especially building a policy framework for effective and safe AI development and application, enhancing cooperation, connecting supply chains, and promoting comprehensive growth.
To realize this theme, Korea has identified 3 priorities: Connectivity, Innovation, Prosperity. Accordingly, at this year's Conference, APEC Trade Ministers focused on discussing 3 main contents: Artificial Intelligence (AI) Innovation to Facilitate Trade; Connectivity through the Multilateral Trading System (MTS) and Prosperity through Sustainable Trade.
At Session 1 on AI Innovation for Trade Facilitation, APEC Ministers acknowledged the increasingly important role of AI in improving labor productivity, competitiveness, and efficiency of global supply chains, contributing to trade facilitation. However, in addition to opportunities, the application of AI also poses many risks such as data safety and reliability, violations of personal rights, intellectual property rights, etc.
Speaking at the conference, Minister Nguyen Hong Dien emphasized that APEC needs to consider and address risks and challenges to ensure that no one is left behind and all APEC members fully benefit from the application of AI in trade.
In Session 2 on Connectivity through the Multilateral Trading System, the conference heard from WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala on recent developments. APEC Ministers reaffirmed that the multilateral trading system, with the WTO at its core, remains as important as ever. However, geopolitical tensions and trade conflicts between major economies are seriously threatening the WTO’s fundamental values.
The conference was attended by 21 APEC member economies, the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC) and leaders of many international organizations including the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), the World Trade Organization (WTO), the ASEAN Secretariat, and the Pacific Economic Cooperation Council (PECC).
This requires the WTO to urgently reform and make timely adjustments to adapt to the new situation. For his part, Vietnamese Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien emphasized that APEC needs to continue to be a pioneer in cooperation, an incubator of new ideas and initiatives in support of the multilateral trading system, thereby contributing to the consolidation and modernization of the WTO, including the restoration of a complete dispute settlement mechanism and promoting important negotiations towards fair and sustainable trade.
At Session 3 on prosperity through sustainable trade, APEC trade ministers expressed concern that the global supply chain is facing disruption at many important stages due to the impact of trade competition, geopolitical conflicts, climate change, etc.
At the Conference, the Ministers agreed that maintaining and improving sustainable supply chains is an important task, promoting sustainable trade, stability and common prosperity for the region.
Speaking at the Conference, Minister Nguyen Hong Dien shared Vietnam's policies and actions to facilitate businesses to effectively participate in sustainable supply chains, and pledged to continue accompanying the private sector and APEC members in establishing a favorable environment for sustainable supply chain development, together building a dynamic, deeply connected and inclusive APEC region.
The 31st MRT Conference concluded on May 16, 2025 and adopted the Joint Statement of APEC Trade Ministers.
On the sidelines of the 31st APEC Trade Ministers' Meeting, on May 15, 2025, Minister Nguyen Hong Dien had a bilateral meeting with Ms. Ngozi Okonjo - Iweala, Director General of the World Trade Organization (WTO) to discuss issues of mutual concern.
At the meeting, Minister Nguyen Hong Dien affirmed that Vietnam always respects and supports the multilateral trading system and requested the WTO to promote its central role in maintaining the global trade order, emphasizing the need to strictly comply with international commitments. Accordingly, the Minister said that the WTO needs to be comprehensively reformed to consolidate and promote its role and adapt to changes in the current world economic situation.
The Minister also affirmed that Vietnam is ready to continue to cooperate closely with other WTO members in promoting discussions on initiatives and solutions to reform the WTO to be submitted to Ministers for approval at the 14th WTO Ministerial Conference scheduled to take place in March 2026 in Cameroon.
WTO Director General Ngozi Okonjo - Iweala highly appreciated and supported Vietnam's viewpoints and proposals, and expressed his belief that with the efforts and close cooperation of member countries, including Vietnam, the 14th WTO Ministerial Conference will achieve positive and substantive results, contributing to the consolidation and promotion of the WTO's role in global trade, while bringing benefits to all member countries.
Anh Tho
Source: https://baochinhphu.vn/viet-nam-cam-ket-chung-tay-xay-dung-mot-apec-nang-dong-ket-noi-va-phat-trien-102250516134131192.htm
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