SEOUL, October 26 (AJP) - The Embassy of Viet Nam in Seoul reaffirmed Viet Nam's active and responsible participation in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum and underlined the country's strong cooperative ties with South Korea ahead of the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in Gyeongju.
"Since joining APEC in 1998, Viet Nam has made active and responsible contributions to the forum, promoting peace, stability, cooperation, and regional economic integration," the embassy said in a statement. It noted that Viet Nam has helped maintain APEC's position as the region's leading mechanism for economic cooperation.
Viet Nam is one of the few members to have successfully hosted APEC twice, in 2006 and 2017, and has been selected to host again in 2027. The embassy pointed out that Viet Nam has also taken on several important roles within APEC, including Executive Director of the APEC Secretariat from 2005 to 2006, as well as chairing and vice-chairing various key committees and working groups. Viet Nam currently leads the task force developing APEC's structural reform agenda for 2026 to 2030.
"In every role, Viet Nam has shown a spirit of responsibility and remains one of the most active members in proposing and promoting APEC programs and initiatives," the statement said. It added that Viet Nam has proposed more than 150 cooperation projects across a wide range of areas, many of which have been highly regarded by member economies.
Among the most notable achievements is Viet Nam's initiative to develop the APEC Vision 2040 and its accompanying action plan, which were adopted by APEC leaders at the 25th APEC Summit held in Da Nang in November 2017. The embassy also cited Viet Nam's proposals on green and sustainable growth, cooperation to address climate change, inclusive growth with support for small and medium-sized enterprises, and the introduction of the "Gender Inclusion Guidelines" to incorporate gender equity into all APEC policies and programs.
The embassy said President Luong Cuong will attend and deliver remarks at the upcoming APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting and the APEC CEO Summit in Gyeongju, where he will present specific proposals to strengthen cooperation among member economies and respond to fast-changing global and regional developments.
Viet Nam is actively preparing to host APEC in 2027. On July 28, the Vietnamese government held a ceremony to announce the establishment of the National Committee on APEC 2027, assigning ministries such as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Industry and Trade to take the lead in developing the theme, priorities, and core ideas for the event.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh emphasized five guiding principles for APEC 2027: promoting cooperation among APEC members; fostering innovation and creativity; enhancing unity, determination, and responsibility among government agencies and local authorities; encouraging participation from APEC members, the public, and the business community; and ensuring that the outcomes of the meetings contribute to each economy's growth and development.
According to the embassy, Viet Nam's position and role have continued to rise as the country maintains strong political stability, pursues reform, and deepens integration with the global economy. Viet Nam's economy grew by 7.1 percent in 2024 and by 7.52 percent in the first half of 2025. The government has streamlined administrative structures, advanced institutional reforms, and strengthened participation in international cooperation frameworks.
The embassy described Viet Nam–South Korea relations as one of the model partnerships within APEC. Since establishing diplomatic relations in 1992, the two countries have made remarkable progress, continuously upgrading their relationship to reach the level of a comprehensive strategic partnership — the highest tier in Viet Nam's diplomatic system.
The statement noted that the top leaders of both countries have maintained regular exchanges to further enhance cooperation. Recently, the General Secretary of the Communist Party of Viet Nam, the country's highest leader, visited South Korea and held talks with President Lee Jae Myung. The two sides discussed a wide range of issues and agreed to strengthen political trust and expand comprehensive and practical cooperation across all sectors and international forums.
Within APEC, Viet Nam and South Korea have worked closely together, sharing experiences in organizing and coordinating APEC cooperation initiatives. On the occasion of President Luong Cuong's visit to attend the APEC Summit in Gyeongju, the embassy said the two countries should continue to strengthen collaboration, with South Korea supporting Viet Nam's initiatives in APEC and holding high-level bilateral discussions to further advance their comprehensive strategic partnership.
reporter
Park Sae-jin
swatchsjp@ajunews.com
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