The first Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Senior Officials Meeting (SOM 1) kicked off Thursday in Vietnam's south central Khanh Hoa province's Nha Trang city, with participation of delegates from 21 APEC member economies.
In his opening speech, Vietnamese Permanent Deputy Foreign Minister, APEC 2017 SOM Chair Bui Thanh Son said although global trade is weak, investment is subdued with many uncertainties in the world, the Asia-Pacific region remains the engine of economic growth and integration, and a pioneer in advancing trade and investment liberalization.
"APEC has all the resources, potentials and capabilities to overcome these challenges, and turn them into impetus for further growth and development. As a grouping of dynamic economies, our region can and will continue to move ahead on the path of development and prosperity," Vietnam's state-run news agency VNA quoted Son as saying.
During the two-day SOM 1, delegates will hear reports and recommendations by APEC committees and working group discussions, as well as exchange views on how to advance APEC's agenda in the four priority areas.
