Minister Nguyen Hong Dien delivered an important address at the 36th APEC Ministerial Meeting (AMM 36)

Also attending were WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, OECD Secretary-General Mathias Cormann, the Chair of the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC), and representatives of regional and international organizations such as the Pacific Economic Cooperation Council (PECC) and the APEC Secretariat. The Vietnamese delegation was co-headed by Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien, member of the Party Central Committee.

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The meeting focused on two key themes: (i) Innovation and Prosperity, exploring ways to harness opportunities and promote economic growth while addressing regional challenges to build a sustainable Asia-Pacific region; and (ii) Connectivity, discussing policy priorities to strengthen supply chain resilience and adaptability, utilizing emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support this process, and promoting trade facilitation within the APEC region; as well as the role of the WTO amid shifts in the global trade order and how APEC can serve as an incubator for ideas to address shared challenges.

At the meeting, ministers listened to reports from the APEC Senior Officials’ Chair (SOM), the APEC Secretariat, and the ABAC Chair, as well as statements from OECD Secretary-General Mathias Cormann and WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, who provided updates on global trade and the multilateral trading system (MTS).

Reaffirming their commitment to implementing the Putrajaya Vision 2040 for building an open, dynamic, resilient, and peaceful Asia-Pacific community, ministers emphasized the importance of innovation, digital transformation, and sustainable AI application in promoting inclusive and prosperous growth in the region. They also reaffirmed APEC’s role as the region’s leading economic cooperation forum, an important mechanism for dialogue and cooperation to promote sustainable, inclusive, and connected growth in the Asia-Pacific.

In the context of profound structural and technological changes, APEC continues to serve as an incubator for ideas and a pioneer in fostering innovation, leveraging new technologies such as AI to strengthen economic cooperation, enhance supply chain resilience, and promote a free and open trade and investment environment. These efforts contribute to reinforcing the multilateral trading system, with the WTO at its core, toward a more innovative, prosperous, and connected Asia-Pacific.

Regarding the role of the WTO, ministers shared a common understanding of its importance in promoting trade, recognizing that the commitments and rules of the WTO remain an essential part of the global trade system. Ministers welcomed and highly appreciated ongoing efforts to deepen and advance discussions within the WTO on contemporary trade issues.

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First, regarding digital transformation and AI, Vietnam welcomed the APEC AI Initiative proposed by the Republic of Korea, emphasizing that the development and application of AI must be human-centered, safe, reliable, and bring shared benefits to society. The Minister called on APEC members to enhance cooperation, share experiences, and provide technical support in AI capacity building, particularly in human resource training, labor market matching, and facilitating public access to free or low-cost AI tools. He affirmed Vietnam’s commitment to working closely with APEC members to promote inclusive and sustainable AI application in line with APEC’s voluntary, flexible, and non-binding principles.

Second, regarding connectivity and supply chain resilience, the Minister stressed the importance of diversifying supply chains and developing modern, climate-resilient logistics infrastructure. Vietnam is actively expanding its network of free trade agreements (FTAs) and investing in strategic transport systems to strengthen regional connectivity. The Minister proposed that APEC continue to promote investment cooperation, green financing, and technology transfer, and support developing economies in applying digital and AI technologies in supply chain management to ensure smooth and seamless regional trade flows.

Third, regarding the multilateral trading system, the Minister reaffirmed the central role of the WTO in promoting trade liberalization, maintaining transparent rules, and ensuring the efficient operation of global supply chains. He encouraged WTO members to continue promoting reform efforts, especially in the dispute settlement mechanism, to improve the organization’s effectiveness.

Minister Nguyen Hong Dien also informed the meeting that Vietnam has ratified Phase I of the Fisheries Subsidies Agreement, joined the Multi-Party Interim Appeal Arbitration Arrangement (MPIA), and remains committed to supporting and contributing to the collective efforts to strengthen a fair, sustainable, and inclusive multilateral trading system.