Ministers and representatives from 21 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) member economies issued a joint statement covering five issues likely to directly affect the APEC’s objectives.
The statement was released after the four-day 15th ministerial summit on September 9 in Australia.
The issues include climate change, energy security and clean development, importance of multilateral trade, regional economic integration, enhancement of human security, and APEC consolidation.
Members agreed to reduce trade and investment barriers; improve regional economic efficiency and business environment; and promote integration in transport, telecommunications, mineral exploitation and energy.
In another joint statement, APEC leaders urged the global community to conclude the Doha round of world trade talks by the year-end.
The Sydney Declaration on Climate Change, Energy Security and Clean Development, released at the meeting, sets forth goals to slow down and eventually terminate the production of greenhouse gases - the major culprit causing climate change.
State President Nguyen Minh Triet affirmed Vietnam’s support for APEC’s initiatives at the meeting and reminded the other 20 APEC member economies of the need to grant special treatment to developing members, especially newcomers like Vietnam, in implementation of commitments.-