The first session focusing on measures to enhance trade and investment amid global volatility.

Vietnamese State President Luong Cuong joined leaders and
heads of delegations from APEC member economies, along with special guests, at
the first plenary session of the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting in Gyeongju,
the Republic of Korea, on October 31, according to a report from the Vietnam News Agency.

The session focused on measures to enhance trade and
investment amid global volatility and to strengthen public–private partnerships
in order to unlock the private sector’s potential for inclusive and sustainable
growth.

Addressing the meeting, President Cuong underscored the
importance of deepening regional connectivity and bolstering the resilience of
APEC economies—particularly developing economies—against external shocks and
the disruptive impacts of rapid technological change.

He called on APEC to address key bottlenecks in regional
supply chains and infrastructure by accelerating digitalisation of customs
procedures, upgrading transport, logistics, and IT systems, and harmonising
cross-border data and payment regulations, while also narrowing the technological
gap among member economies.

The Vietnamese leader also urged stronger trade and
investment cooperation through the implementation of multilateral trade
agreements under the World Trade Organization (WTO). He stressed the need to
support the private sector, especially small and medium-sized enterprises
(SMEs), in gaining better access to capital, technology, and markets, and in
enhancing their governance capacity to thrive in the digital economy.

President Cuong reaffirmed that as the host of APEC 2027,
Vietnam will work closely with other member economies and partners to deepen
regional economic integration, promote green growth, and foster a favourable
environment for cooperation and development—toward building an Asia-Pacific
region of peace, stability, and shared prosperity.

Vietnam News Agency-Khánh Vân