Image of President Vo Van Thuong in dialogue with 20 APEC economic leaders

President Vo Van Thuong attended the Informal Dialogue and working lunch between APEC leaders and guests.

At noon on November 16 (local time), in San Francisco (USA), President Vo Van Thuong attended the Informal Dialogue and had a working lunch between APEC leaders and guests.

Photo: VNA

The dialogue between APEC economic leaders and guests were Colombian President Gustavo Petro, Fijian Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka and Indian Minister of Industry and Trade Shri Piyush Goyal. This was the first activity of the leaders at the APEC 2023 summit. In his opening speech, US President Joe Biden affirmed that with the theme "Sustainability, Climate and a Just Energy Transition", the dialogue is an opportunity for APEC leaders and guests to discuss common challenges of the region and the world, discuss initiatives and solutions to promote cooperation, and work together for sustainable development goals. US President's Special Envoy on Climate Change John Kerry reported to the leaders an overview of the impacts of climate change as well as the importance of international cooperation to respond to climate change, reduce emissions, and protect the environment. APEC leaders and guests called for enhanced international cooperation to reduce emissions, promote sustainable energy transition, and move towards green growth. Leaders shared the efforts and solutions that each economy has been implementing to address environmental and climate challenges; emphasized the importance of initiatives on resource mobilization, promoting public-private partnership for energy transition, sustainable agricultural development, green industry, and biodiversity conservation.

From left: Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, President Vo Van Thuong, US President Joe Biden at the Dialogue. Photo: VNA

As the first APEC leader to speak at the discussion, President Vo Van Thuong emphasized that climate change is an urgent global issue, requiring determination, political responsibility and solidarity from all economies. The President shared Vietnam's view that climate change response is a priority in national development policy and a strong commitment to achieving net zero emissions by 2050, reducing methane emissions, protecting forests and transforming energy. Vietnam is one of the first three developing countries to join the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) with a group of international partners and is synchronously implementing many solutions from institutional improvement to practical implementation. The President suggested that APEC and its partners promote cooperation programs on renewable energy and greening industry; developing ecological agriculture and resource recovery; social security and just transition. The President also called on developed countries and international partners to increase sharing of scientific and technological achievements, financial contributions, and promptly put the Loss and Damage Fund into operation to support developing and least developed countries in responding to climate change. The global financial system needs to improve its ability to provide green finance and effectively mobilize resources from the private sector. The President stressed that this is the time for all economies to realize their historic commitments to protect the earth and the future of future generations. The leaders appreciated the President's speech, welcomed practical proposals, and supported Vietnam's efforts towards achieving the goal of net zero emissions, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and transforming energy.

US President Joe Biden and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. Photo: FB President Joe Biden

President Vo Van Thuong at the working session. Photo: US Department of State

President Vo Van Thuong attends the Informal Dialogue between APEC leaders and guests. Photo: VNA

Before the dialogue, the President had discussions with General Secretary and President of China Xi Jinping, US President Joe Biden, President of the Republic of Korea Yoon Suk Yeol, and Prime Minister of Japan Kishida Fumio to continue promoting and deepening relations and discuss issues of mutual concern. In the afternoon of the same day, President Vo Van Thuong attended the opening session of the dialogue between APEC leaders and members of the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC).

President Vo Van Thuong and APEC leaders at the working session. Photo: FB President Joe Biden

Photo: VNA

Leaders of 21 APEC member economies.

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