The first Senior Officials' Meeting and related meetings (SOM 1) of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Year 2017 are expected to take place in Vietnam's central Nha Trang city from Feb. 18 to March 3, 2017, said a Vietnamese official here Thursday.

Le Hai Binh, spokesperson of Vietnamese Foreign Ministry made the announcement at a regular press briefing held in capital Hanoi.

"Against the backdrop of changing global and regional landscape, SOM 1 is an important event that will affirm APEC determination to enhance cooperation and reinforce the momentum for growth and connectivity in the Asia-Pacific, "said Binh.

Within the framework of SOM 1, there will be some 60 meetings, dialogues and conferences under the theme of APEC Year 2017, which is "creating new dynamism, fostering a shared future," Binh told reporters, adding that discussions will be focused on the following items.

First is details of four priorities of the APEC Year 2017, and initiatives to implement such priorities. Second is priorities for the four committees of trade-investment, economic, technology, budget management as well as other APEC cooperation schemes. Thirdly, it includes orientations for APEC 2017 activities.

The spokesperson said the meetings are expected to draw participation of 1,500 representatives from APEC member economies, international and regional organizations, businesses and academics from countries inside and outside APEC.

Also in Nha Trang, some 1,040 km south of capital Hanoi, the APEC 2017 Finance and Central Bank Deputies' meeting (FCBDM) will be held on Feb. 23-24, said Binh.

source: Xinhua