Danang to proudly host APEC 2017

At the 24th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit on November 20, 2016 in Lima, Peru, State President Tran Dai Quang announced that Vietnam would host APEC 2017, featuring the APEC Economic Leaders’ Week in the city of Danang.

                                                                   Huynh Duc Tho

This event marks a milestone in the city’s socioeconomic development and has partly outlined the vision for Danang’s future.

APEC 2017 Economic Leaders’ Week is expected to occur in November 2017. The flagship event on the agenda is the Economic Leaders’ Meeting with the participation of top leaders from all 21 member economies, along with thousands of delegates, international journalists, and world-leading entrepreneurs.

At the same time, a Business Summit, a dialogue between APEC top leaders and leaders of the ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ABAC), as well as the Inter-Ministerial Meeting of APEC Foreign and Economic Ministers will also take place.

Choosing the right place to host APEC 2017 Economic Leaders’ Week plays an important role in the success of this event series. To meet all of the requirements, the host city must ensure state-of-the-art infrastructure, convenient traffic, diversified and high-quality accommodation and services, well-trained human resources, as well as security.

With the large scale and tremendous importance of APEC 2017 Economic Leaders’ Week, the biggest economic event in Asian-Pacific region, it is an once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Danang to cement its role and status on the national and international stage.

This chance is possibly one of the most significant achievements of the city’s breakthrough policies over the past two decades. Flexible and creative policies by the central government and exploiting local potential and resources have created a foundation for Danang to boost industrialisation and modernisation.

The city has positively transformed the local economic structure and geared investment flows into the tourism and services sectors, green growth, and hi-tech, making various breakthroughs in urban planning and development.

The city is proud to have been on top of the provincial competitiveness index (PCI) for six times, and three years in a row (2013-2015).

When it comes to APEC 2017, Danang’s advantages lie in its developed transport infrastructure, services, and tourism, as well as the city’s rich experience in organising big international events.

All these characteristics boost the city’s confidence in hosting APEC 2017 Economic Leaders’ Week. Surely, the city management authorities and people will do their best to assure the success of the event, adding to Danang’s reputation as a city of distinct natural scenery and hospitable residents.

As well-known experts in Vietnam have asserted, what makes Danang stand out among other Central Vietnamese localities is the irresistible charm of its land and people.

Danang has jumpstarted preparations for hosting APEC 2017 since late 2014 and is actively renovating infrastructure and the urban setting, conducting communication and training programmes, as well as guaranteeing the security, healthcare, and logistics aspects of an event of epic magnitude.

APEC 2017 is undeniably an opportunity to push up economic development in the city of Danang. Thus, it also poses challenges to the city’s management in promulgating policies in a proper and timely manner, so that Danang can truly become “Vietnam’s new rising dragon,” living up to French journalist Bruno Philip’s praises.

Craig Chittick, Australian Ambassador to Vietnam, stated that, “The world’s attention will centre on Danang in November 2017, when leaders, ministers, and CEOs from 21 member economies gather here. This will be a tremendous opportunity for the city to present its potential as an important hub of tourism and investment. The delegates, some of whom will be Australian, will directly experience a dynamic and innovative Danang, as well as contemplate the magnificent beauty and enjoy local food specialties. As one of the founding members of APEC, Australia is willing to cooperate and support the city of Danang and the APEC National Secretariat in the upcoming 12 months.”

Last but not least, good preparation plays an essential role in the success of APEC 2017 Economic Leaders’ Week, as well as APEC Vietnam 2017. More importantly, Danang hopes to make an impression as a perfect host, leaving an indelible mark on APEC’s incredible history, bringing further declarations and agreements from all member economies.

On the threshold of celebrating the 20th anniversary of Danang becoming a centrally-governed city, being chosen to host APEC 2017 Economic Leaders’ Week can be considered a due reward for the city’s strenuous efforts of economic reform and development.

Danang has developed its own reputation as an “environmental city,” an “Asian townscape,” or the “city of festivities,” gradually positioning itself on the international stage.

However, for Danang’s status to reach the level of other APEC host cities, there must be strategic policies to leverage this huge opportunity, opening a new chapter in Danang’s development.

By Huynh Duc Tho, Chairman of the Danang City People’s Committee