President Triet made the request at the second retreat, themed “Sustaining Growth,” of the 17th APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting, which was held in Singapore on November 15.
The Vietnamese leader urged APEC members to put forth a strong message towards the upcoming Copenhagen conference on climate change, and increase transfer of technology and assistance to developing economies to help them develop clean technology, mitigate the impacts of climate change and reinforce their capacity natural disaster prevention and control
He also made a number of proposals regarding the coordination in terms of both policy and action among APEC economies in a bid to ensure economic recovery and promote trade and investment.
At the session, leaders of APEC economies have pledged to maintain economic stimulus measures and put in place a comprehensive, balanced and sustainable growth policy to ensure durable economic recovery.
The leaders promised to join efforts to cope with challenges posed by climate change and work towards a successful outcome of the UN conference on climate change scheduled for Copenhagen, Denmark, next month.
They were also committed to open markets, refrain from imposing new trade and investment barriers, resist protectionism in any forms, and work together toward the goal of concluding the Doha round of negotiations in 2010.
The 17th APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting was wrapped up on the afternoon of November 15 after adopting a joint declaration themed “Sustaining growth, Connecting the region” and a statement by APEC leaders on “A new growth paradigm for a connected Asia-Pacific in the 21st century.”
On the sidelines of the session, President Triet held bilateral meetings with leaders from China, Russia, the US, Canada, Indonesia, Malaysia, Australia, Chile, Peru and the Republic of Korea to discuss ways to boost bilateral cooperation and coordination at APEC and other regional and international forums.
The leaders of these nations all lauded Vietnam’s achievements in economic development and growth maintenance. They also pledged to collaborate with Vietnam when it assumes the ASEAN chair in 2010.
On the same day, President Triet attended an APEC high-level meeting on climate change, which was held on the joint initiative of Australia and Mexico
State President joins ASEAN-US Leaders’ Meeting
Vietnam will continue to make active contributions to the development of the ASEAN-US relationship, both bilaterally and multilaterally, especially in 2010 when the country assumes its role as the ASEAN Chair.
State President Nguyen Minh Triet made the statement at the first ASEAN-US Leaders’ Meeting held in Singapore on November 15.
The Vietnamese State leader emphasised the importance of maintaining regular dialogues between ASEAN and the US at the highest level for the benefit of both sides.
He suggested the two sides further strengthen their multi-faceted cooperation, especially in economics and trade, and boost joint efforts in coping with global challenges.
“The two sides should put up necessary resources to concretise agreements, particularly the Joint Vision Statement on the ASEAN-US Enhanced Partnership,” he added.
President Triet also applauded the results of the first meeting between foreign ministers of Mekong basin countries and the US in July this year and suggested the two sides maintain an annual ministerial-level meeting and early implement specific cooperation activities in this framework.
The meeting, themed “Enhanced Partnership for Peace and Sustainable Prosperity”, saw ASEAN and US leaders agree to work for stronger cooperation in areas of common interest.
The two sides will continue to implement their existing cooperation agreements, especially the Joint Vision Statement on the ASEAN-US Enhanced Partnership, and boost cooperation in politics-security, economics-trade, education and training, science and technology, people-to-people exchange, and in dealing with global challenges.
The leaders agreed on the organisation of ASEAN-US ministerial-level meetings on economics-trade, finance, and energy as well as an annual meeting between foreign ministers of Mekong basin countries and the US.
They also agreed on the establishment of a working group on clean energy and health cooperation in 2010 to boost the implementation of specific cooperation activities in each field and setting up a group of ASEAN-US famous figures, including politicians, businesspeople and scholars to study and propose measures to strengthen bilateral ties.
US President Obama affirmed that the US considers ASEAN a key partner in the Asia-Pacific region and wishes to enhance the multi-faceted relationship with the grouping.
He pledged to support ASEAN in building its own community, narrowing the development gap and implementing the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
APEC leaders vow to maintain stimulus policies
Leaders of the 21-member Asia- Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum on Nov 15 pledged to maintain economic stimulus policies until a durable economic recovery has clearly taken hold.
“We will work together to keep up the momentum for strong, sustainable and balanced global economic growth, as set out at the recent G-20 Summit in Pittsburgh,” the APEC leaders said in a joint declaration named “Sustaining growth, Connecting the region” issued before the group's two-day summit ended.
The leaders recognised the need to develop a new growth paradigm for the changed post-crisis landscape, and an expanded trade and investment agenda that will strengthen regional economic integration in the Asia-Pacific region.
They were unanimous that APEC cannot achieve “growth as usual”, but will put in place a comprehensive long-term growth strategy that supports more balanced growth within and across economies, encourages greater inclusiveness in societies and sustains the environment.
While voicing support for the goals of the G-20 Framework for Strong, Sustainable and Balanced Growth, the APEC leaders affirmed the resolve to ensure that future economic growth is more inclusive, to broaden access to opportunities created by growth and to increase the benefits of growth widely.
They agreed that APEC’s inclusive growth agenda will be driven by two key thrusts. First, APEC will undertake structural adjustments that will enhance opportunities for all sections of society to benefit from growth.
Second, APEC will strengthen social resilience to help individuals overcome short-term difficulties while providing the incentive for long-term effort, with a focus on the most vulnerable in their economies.
On promoting sustainable growth, the APEC leaders promised to ensure that economic growth in the region is consistent with sustainable development. After noting that anthropogenic climate change is one of the biggest global challenges, the APEC leaders reaffirmed their commitment to tackle the threat of climate change and work towards an ambitious outcome in Copenhagen, within the objective, provisions and principles of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
In regard to resisting protectionism, the APEC leaders rejected all forms of protectionism and reaffirmed their commitment to keep markets open and refrain from raising new barriers to investment or to trade in goods and services.
The joint declaration also emphasised the APEC leaders’ support for the multilateral trading system, accelerating regional economic integration, strengthening economic and technical cooperation, enhancing human security, fighting corruption, and improving governance and transparency.
The APEC leaders also issued a separate statement on “A new growth paradigm for a connected Asia-Pacific in the 21st century,” endorsing the goals of the G-20 Framework for Strong, Sustainable and Balanced Growth.
As the world’s most dynamic regional economy, which accounts for half of global trade and output, APEC is well placed to provide the momentum necessary to achieve these goals, the statement said.
“Strong and sustained economic growth will require structural reforms to gradually unwind global imbalances and raise the potential output of our economies. To achieve inclusive growth, APEC must broaden access to economic opportunities and build the resilience of the most vulnerable against economic shocks,” it said.
According to the statement, future growth must be compatible with global efforts to protect the environment and mitigate climate change. At the same time, efforts to address climate change must be consistent with international trade obligations.
For the goal of a connected Asia-Pacific region in the 21st century, the leaders said APEC will take a comprehensive approach to build a 21st century model of economic integration that will combine trade liberalisation “at the border”, improve the business environment “behind the border”, and enhance supply chain connectivity “across the border”.
They asserted that APEC will launch a pathfinder initiative led by Australia, Canada, Japan, the Republic of Korea, New Zealand, Singapore, and the United States to practise self-certification of origin so that businesses can better take advantage of free trade agreements in the region.
The region will also push forward with the APEC Services Initiative for an action plan as well as principles to promote cross-border trade in services.
For “behind the border” structural reforms, the APEC leaders stressed that a key component of their structural reform efforts to reduce regulatory impediments is the Ease of Doing Business Action Plan.
Accordingly, APEC will strive to achieve by 2015 a collective 25 percent reduction in the cost, time, and number of procedures and a 5 percent reduction in business transaction costs by 2010.
To enhance APEC’s supply chain connectivity, the leaders agreed to explore how to enhance multi-modal connectivity by air, sea, and land, to facilitate a more seamless flow of goods and services, and business travelers throughout the Asia-Pacific region.
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