APEC 2017: Delegates review the implementation of multi-year programs

Tuesday, 21/02/2017 11:35
(CPV) – Delegates reviewed the implementation of multi-year programs such as the Beijing Declaration on Fighting Corruption and the APEC Business Travel Card (ABTC) among others.

Over 580 APEC delegates participated in meetings from 8 working groups and sub-committees on February 20th 2017, including the Human Resource Development (HRDWG), Anti-Corruption and Transparency (ACTWG), Business Mobility Group (BMG), Life Sciences Innovation Forum (LSIF), Experts Group on Illegal Logging and Associated Trade (EGILAT), Sub-Committee on Standards and Conformance (SCSC), Sub-Committee on Customs Procedures (SCCP) and Competition Policy and Law Group (CPLG).

The ACTWG and BMG finalized their first activities in 2017 with consensus on their 2017 workplans. Delegates expressed shared commitment to further promoting cooperation in line with Vietnam's 2017 host priorities, which contribute to the APEC’s main goals of trade and investment liberization and economic growth in the region.

Photo: apec2017.vn
Building on the work of the last two days, the SCSC and HRDWG entered their first plenary meeting on February 21st 2017. The SCSC focused on reviewing the implementation of the Collective action plan on trade facilitation as well as discussed new initiatives and projects in alignment with international standards, technical infrastructure development, food safety and standards and conformance education, etc...

Meanwhile, the HRDWG delegates exchanged their views on the group’s annual work plan. Delegates stressed the importance of APEC cooperation on human resource development in fulfilling APEC’s trade and investment goals, leading to economic growth and greater social cohesion and wellbeing in member economies.

With that objective, the proposed 2017 High-Level Policy Dialogue on Human Resource Development in the Digital Age in Ha Noi in the coming May will serve as a platform for facilitating dialogue and exchange of ideas regarding human resource development among Ministers and high level representatives. Both working groups also sought ways to enhance cooperation with other APEC fora as well as with regional and international organizations.

The SCCP began the working agenda today with the Friends of the Chair (FoTC) meeting. Meanwhile, the CPLG began the 2017 journey with a Seminar on "Using Competition Assessments to Eliminate Barriers to Trade and Commerce in Goods and Services". The EGILAT and LSIF also continued with their working agenda.

Across the meetings, APEC member economies have shown strong commitment to further promoting APEC cooperation, creating tangible benefits for business and people from all walks of life, with cooperation projects in areas including asset recovery under the APEC anti-corruption network; promotion of enabling environment for innovation; enhancing the ABTC, etc...

Delegates also shared and learned best practices, including experience in implementing the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC), or building collective action of private sectors to combat corruption and create business without bribery.

APEC is known for its focus on people to people connectivity. As part of the program today, some working groups also visited Nha Trang Oceanography Institute and Thap Ba Ponagar, two of many attractive tourist destinations that Nha Trang city has to offer./.

Khac Kien

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