VietNamNet Bridge – Maritime collaboration must contribute to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum’s common goals of developing economic affairs and maintaining regional peace and stability on the basis of win-win cooperation, a Vietnamese official has said.

Delegates at the conference (Photo: VNA)

Speaking at the fourth APEC Ocean-related Ministerial Meeting on August 28 in Xiamen city in China’s Fujian province, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Vu Van Tam stressed the need for APEC economies to give priority to cooperation in search and rescue missions at sea.

Tam also highlighted Vietnam’s efforts in actively implementing cooperative mechanisms for information sharing in the field, particularly setting up hotlines connecting trans-boundary coastal regions and the respective neighbouring countries in order to better assist fishermen in distress.

Regarding the coordination among member economies in realising the “blue economy” concept for maritime economic development, the Vietnamese official confirmed that the approach must balance socio-economic development with the management and conservation of marine ecosystems.

This year’s event brought together delegates from 19 of the 21 APEC member economies, who devised the Xiamen Statement on marine and coastal ecosystem conservation and improved disaster response capacities. The statement also highlights the role oceans play in food security and trade-related issues.

Source: Vietnam Plus