Leaders discussed a wide range of topics from infectious diseases to ways to mitigate future disasters such as tsunamis as the annual Asia-Pacific Parliamentary Forum (APPF) in Ha Long City, northeastern Quang Ninh Province rolled on yesterday.

APPF leaders discussed a wide range of topics from infectious diseases to ways to mitigate future disasters.

They also discussed Vietnamese accession to the WTO and cultural issues.

The Vietnamese delegation said there is an urgent need to promote international and regional co-operation to prevent infectious diseases without affecting trade and investment.

"Vietnam hopes to continue its co-operation with other countries and international organisations in combating and preventing infectious diseases," said Prof. Doctor Tran Dong A, a representative of the Vietnamese delegation.

According to Dr Tran Dong A, aside from joint efforts from countries and financial and technical support from developed countries to developing ones, it is necessary to emphasise and promote the role of international organisations, especially the World Health Organisation, the World Bank, and the United Nations Development Programme, in producing vaccines and helping countries deal with epidemics.

The Vietnamese delegation also said at the meeting that it is necessary to boost cultural co-operation and exchange between civilisations and connect this with the preservation of national identity and diversity.

Vietnam holds that preserving cultural diversity will not only contribute to national development but also to the establishment of peace in the world.

Along with the spread of globalisation, balanced dialogues between cultures and civilisations are believed to have become an international standard for interaction between cultures.

Such dialogues will help increase the understanding of each other's cultures, thereby avoiding misunderstandings and even conflicts.

This was affirmed by Vietnamese Prime Minister Phan Van Khai at the 4th ASEM summit in Denmark in September, 2002.

Also at the meeting, Lee Ke-Jin, a member of the RoK's National Assembly said the RoK will be able to provide technical support for establishing a regional early warning system for earthquakes and tsunamis in the Indian Ocean.

Vietnam also used the meeting to express hope that Asian-Pacific countries will support Vietnam's accession to the World Trade Organisation by presenting requests that are consistent with Vietnam's condition as a low-income, developing country in transition.

The comments were made by Nguyen Ngoc Tran, Vice Chairman of the National Assembly's Committee for External Relations.

He continued that Vietnam has deepened its economic integration into the region and the world by joining several international groups.

Mr Tran emphasised that favourable conditions should be created to enable the participation of developing countries and to avoid discrimination in the selection of partners.

Among 50 speeches delivered at the conference, participants also heard about environmental protection issues, and their close relationship with economic development and poverty alleviation.

About financial resources for sustainable development, many delegates stressed the necessity to strengthen financial resources for development, especially in maintaining and increasing official development aid to developing countries.

Trans-national crime was also discussed during the meeting.

(Source: Viet Nam News)

National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Van An told the opening of the Asia-Pacific Parliamentary Forum in Ha Long City a major target of the meeting was to create opportunities for regional legislators to build co-operation within the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation (APEC).

Delegation leaders pose for a photo at the opening ceremony of the APPF in Ha Long.

Closer economic and trade co-operation was crucial to sustainably link regional countries, said Chairman An, as the 13th APPF started in north-eastern Quang Ninh Province.

Chairman An sent deep condolences from the Vietnamese Government and National Assembly to all the families of victims from the earthquake and tsunamis last month. The meeting observed a minute's silence to commemorate victims of the natural disaster.

The NA Chairman said over the past decade APPF has progressed to attract 28 members, including many economic powers and dynamic countries.

The APPF meeting aims to give regional parliamentarians a forum to frankly exchange concerns particular to Asia-Pacific, despite language, cultural and ideological differences, to encourage understanding and trust.

Chairman An hoped the 13th forum would see lawmakers assess the recent development of the APPF, discuss urgent issues facing its population and define its future orientation.

The APPF's honorary chairman, former Japanese prime minister Yasuhiro Nakasone, praised Vietnam's efforts in hosting this annual meeting.

Nakasone noted the event followed the success of 5th Asia-Europe Meeting in Hanoi, and held on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the Party and Vietnam's 60th founding anniversary, which were not only significant to Vietnam, but also to the region.

Chinese National People's Congress Vice Chairwoman Gu Xiu Lian said in a turbulent global context, the Asia-Pacific maintained peace and was developing well.

Regional nations have progressed in their economic restructuring, accelerating industrialisation and forging links, Ms Gu said, adding this made the region a dynamic economic hub and a key player in global trade.

The politician, who is also leading the Chinese delegation, said APPF's member parliaments should work together to promote comprehensive ties in politics, economics, security, science and technology and culture.

She said countries needed to be consistent with the principles of the equal co-operation, mutual respect and benefits.

China pledged to maintain global peace and development, play a big role in international co-operation, and in particular, seek closer co-operation with the Asia Pacific region.

The Chinese National People's Congress was willing to increase exchange and co-operation with legislative bodies in the region and play an active role in the activities of the APPF.

The forum is being attended by 280 participants from 23 parliaments: Australia, Cambodia, Canada, Chile, China, Fiji, Indonesia, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Laos, Malaysia, Mexico, Micronesia, Mongolia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, Russia, Singapore, Thailand, the United States, Vietnam, as well as observer Brunei.

(Source: Viet Nam News)

VietNamNet - The 13th Asia-Pacific Parliamentary Forum (APPF 13) will kick off this afternoon in Ha Long City, Quang Ninh Province.

More than 200 delegates from 23 countries have arrived in Vietnam for APPF 13.

The conference will focus on four major themes: politics and security, economic and trade issues, cooperation within the Asia-Pacific region and discussions on future agendas for the APPF.

Apart from the above themes, a special session will be held to discuss the establishment of a mechanism or organization forecasting earthquakes and tsunamis in the region.

As an initiative of Vietnam, the idea has been received with widespread support from other countries, and a resolution on the establishment of such a mechanism or organization will be established after the meeting.

According to the agenda, delegates from 23 countries will discuss political, economic and security related issues regarding the region and the world. Also discussed will be economics and trade, globalisation, co-operation in promoting new rounds of World Trade Organisation negotiations and bilateral and international economic partnerships.  

Co-operation in settling issues of mutual concern on the environment, HIV/AIDS, the fight against transnational crimes and cultural co-operation will also be tabled for discussion.

Of the 23 delegations, eight delegations have the participation of parliamentary chairpersons, including Australia, Russia, Cambodia, Fiji, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, and Thailand.

T.L

VietNamNet - The 13th Asia-Pacific Parliamentary Forum (APPF 13) conference will be held in Ha Long City, Quang Ninh Province from January 10-13, 2005.

The 12th APPF in Beijing, China.

“As host of the APPF 13, Vietnam confirms its strong integration and improving position in the international arena,” said Vu Mao, the Chairman of the National Assembly’s Committee for External Affairs, at a press conference in Hanoi on December 21. Mr Mao is also the Head of the 13^th APPF Organising Board.

 

This is the first time the APPF annual meeting will be held in Vietnam. NA Chairman Nguyen Van An will preside over the meeting and will be the Executive Chairman of APPF in 2005.

 

The 13th Annual Meeting will focus on political and security issues, socio-economic matters and other topics of mutual concern in strengthening co-operation for stability and prosperity in the region.

 

At the conference, parliamentarians from the 28 member delegations and observers will discuss political, economic and security related issues regarding the region and the world. Also discussed will be economics and trade, globalisation, co-operation in promoting new rounds of World Trade Organisation negotiations and bilateral and international economic partnerships.

 

Co-operation in settling issues of mutual concern on the environment, HIV/AIDS, the fight against transnational crimes and cultural co-operation will also be tabled for discussion.

 

The conference will also see the approval of a number of resolutions and joint declarations on the above issues.

 

Established in 1993, APPF is a loosely structured and non-exclusive forum of national parliamentarians who participate either as delegates of their parliaments or in their personal capacities. It draws the participation of 27 countries, including those that are seen to be powerful, such as US, China, Japan and Russia.

 

Vietnam joined APPF in 1995, the same year as the Asia Pacific Economic Co-operation forum (APEC).

 

Hong Van

The 14^th summit meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum will be held in Vietnam in November 2006, an official from the Foreign Ministry said.

Head of the Foreign Ministry’s Multilateral Economic Cooperation Department, Tran Trong Toan, revealed that before the 14^th APEC Summit, Vietnam will hold many other important events, including ministerial meetings.

 

This May, Vietnam established an inter-sectoral working group lead by a Deputy Foreign Minister to prepare for the event. The logo for the summit has been selected along with the completion of a nine-minute film presenting Vietnamese land and people.

 

The National Committee on Preparations for APEC will be established in the first quarter of 2005, with a Deputy Prime Minister as its head.

 

Also in the first quarter of 2005, the committee will discuss with related ministries to suggest the theme for the summit.

 

Late November this year the 12^th APEC Summit was held in Chile with the topic “A community, our future”.

 

(Source: Ha Noi Moi)

President Tran Duc Luong.

He is visiting at the invitations of Brazil's President Luis Lula da Silva, Chile's President Ricardo Lagos and Argentina's President Nestor Kirchner.

In Chile, the President will attend the 12th Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation forum (APEC 12).

Accompanying the President are Director of the Presidential Office Nguyen Van Chien, Trade Minister Truong Dinh Tuyen, Fisherish Minister Ta Quang Ngoc, Director of the Central Party Committee's Science and Education Commission Do Nguyen Phuong, Chairman of Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry Vu Tien Loc, and representatives from 40 enterprises.

(Source: Viet Nam News)

The Ninth Asia-Pacific Physics Conference was opened in Hanoi on October 25 with the participation of nearly 700 physicists from 28 countries and territories in the region.

The conference, which will close with the end of October, is being held jointly by the Association of Asia-Pacific Physics Societies (AAPPS), the Vietnamese Academy of Science and Technology and the Vietnam Physics Society.

The conference is organised in member countries of AAPPS every three years, and for the first time in Vietnam, and is dedicated to exchanging the latest information and scientific research. 

More than 350 reports will be presented at the conference, ranging from high-energy physics, nuclear physics, and condensed matter physics, to astrophysics, plasma physics and applied physics.

The conference is a good opportunity for Vietnamese physicists, especially the young, to meet and share experiences with leading physicists in the world.

(Source: Tin Tuc)

President Tran Duc Luong will lead Vietnam's delegation to the 12th leaders' meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation (APEC) forum in Santiago, Chile on November 20 and 21.

President Tran Duc Luong.

The Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs' spokesperson Le Dung made the announcement on Thursday, saying that the Vietnamese delegation will take part in the main activities of the meeting, including closed-door sessions, the dialogue between leaders, and APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC).

The Vietnamese delegates will join discussions on effective measures to create favourable conditions for trade and investment in the region as well as boost economic and technical co-operation with priorities on building capacity for developing members.

The spokesperson said Vietnam is one of the two APEC members who have not yet joined the World Trade Organisation (WTO). The country hopes to receive more support from other APEC members in negotiations to get WTO membership soon.

During the meeting, the Vietnamese leader will have bilateral meetings with leaders of other APEC member countries.

(Source: Viet Nam News)