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The Chief Executive, Mr Donald Tsang, arrived in Hanoi, Viet Nam, this afternoon (November 16) to attend the 14th Economic Leaders' Meeting of Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation (APEC) during the weekend (November 18 and 19).
To translate the theme of the APEC Year 2006, "Towards a Dynamic Community for Sustainable Development and Prosperity", into concrete action, Mr Tsang said he believed that economic leaders needed to give a strong push to the resumption of the World Trade Organization (WTO) Doha Development Agenda (DDA) negotiations and the effective implementation of the Busan Roadmap to realise the Bogor Goals of free trade and open trade and investment in the Asia-Pacific region.
"The WTO Ministerial Conference in Hong Kong last year had been a success and had drawn up the launching pad for the conclusion of the Doha Round. Yet, an agreement still eludes us. We are keen to see that the Round will be concluded in time and deliver a result that benefits the entire WTO membership," Mr Tsang said.
Mr Tsang said political determination was needed to attain this goal. "This meeting will provide an invaluable opportunity for leaders to inject strong political impetus and give a final push to effecting an early conclusion of the Doha Round."
As regards the implementation of the Busan Roadmap, Mr Tsang said he looked forward to a strong and concrete Action Plan for endorsement during the meeting.
Mr Tsang will attend the APEC CEO Summit tomorrow (November 17) at which President Hu Jintao will deliver a keynote speech.
Mr Tsang will join other economic leaders at the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting over the weekend to discuss a wide range of issues, including the prospect for the WTO DDA negotiations; the implementation of the Busan Roadmap to the Bogor Goals; the proliferation of regional trade arrangements and free trade agreements; APEC reform; anti-corruption and transparency; counter terrorism; strengthening global co-operation in prevention and control of avian influenza; disaster preparedness; and the development of information and communications technology.
Ends/Thursday, November 16, 2006
Issued at HKT 18:53
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