Vietnam attends the 29th APEC Trade Ministers Meeting

APEC Ministers focused on discussing ways to support the rules-based multilateral trading system and effective measures to promote WTO reform.

Việt Nam tham dự Hội nghị Bộ trưởng Thương mại APEC lần thứ 29

Overview of the 29th APEC Trade Ministers' Meeting. (Source: VOV)

Speaking at the 29th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Ministers' Meeting on Trade (MRT 29), Vietnamese Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien emphasized that APEC member economies need to prioritize discussions on reforming the World Trade Organization (WTO) to improve the efficiency of its operations.

Minister Nguyen Hong Dien, head of the Vietnamese delegation attending the Conference, also pointed out that APEC members need to continue making efforts to implement the results of the 12th WTO Ministerial Conference (MC12), in order to achieve practical results at the upcoming 13th MC.

At the opening session of the Conference held in Detroit, Michigan, USA, APEC Ministers focused on discussing ways to support the rules-based multilateral trading system and effective measures to promote WTO reform.

The Ministers also listened to WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala update on recent developments at the organization, especially the implementation of the results of the 12th WTO Ministerial Conference (MC12) and preparations for the 13th WTO Ministerial Conference (MC13).

Bộ trưởng Nguyễn Hồng Diên tiếp và làm việc với Bộ trưởng Kinh tế, Công nghiệp và Thương mại Nhật Bản Nishimura Yasutoshi. (Nguồn: VOV)

Minister Nguyen Hong Dien received and worked with Japanese Minister of Economy, Industry and Trade Nishimura Yasutoshi. (Source: VOV)

For his part, WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala stressed that WTO members need to be flexible, realistic and demonstrate political determination in resolving outstanding issues to strengthen the WTO's central position in the multilateral trading system, and welcomed APEC's continued implementation of initiatives and activities that contribute to promoting similar discussion contents in the WTO.

Ms. Okonjo-Iwweala and APEC Ministers expressed hope that reforms and progress in WTO negotiations will bring positive results, contributing to strengthening the role of the multilateral trading system as well as global and regional economic integration.

On the sidelines of the 29th MRT Conference, Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien received and worked with Japanese Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Nishimura Yasutoshi, Senior Director of Global Government Relations of Walmart Retail Group, worked with Representatives of the APEC Business Advisory Council, representatives of the US Small and Medium Enterprises Association and other bilateral activities.