HANOI, Jan. 25 (Xinhuanet) -- Vietnam is actively preparing for hosting Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meetings, especially the summit slated for Nov. 12-19, said Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister Vu Khoan.

    "In preparation for the Vietnam Year APEC 2006, the National Committee on APEC 2006 is established with an important mandate toorganize a successful and safe APEC 2006," Khoan said at the committee's inauguration ceremony here Wednesday.

    The committee chaired by the deputy prime minister has five sub-committees in charge of document, security, protocol, communications and logistics. The committee's standing body, the Vietnam APEC 2006 Secretariat, is responsible for harmonizing and coordinating activities of all sub-committees, coordinating with ministries, agencies and localities in organizing APEC specific meetings, including those on trade, finance, healthcare and tourism.

    Vietnam has hosted a variety of national and international conferences and symposiums to deepen knowledge, and exchange information and experiences in holding the events. It has sent staff to such countries as China, South Korea and Chile, and invited foreign experts to share experiences in organizing the events.

    Vietnam is also accelerating construction of a modern national convention center in Hanoi, the summit's venue, and upgrading hotels and other related facilities.

    Apart from the summit, Vietnam, this year, will host about 100 APEC events, including a joint foreign and trade ministerial meeting, meetings of ministers responsible for finance, trade, healthcare and tourism, and senior officials meetings.

    The APEC Year 2006, with the theme "Towards a Dynamic Community for Sustainable Development and Prosperity," will bringinto play achievements of APEC cooperation process, looking towards a region of prosperity and 2006 is very important for the future of APEC as it is the first year of implementing the Busan roadmap to realize Bogor goals on free trade and investment, Khoansaid.

    APEC, the premier forum established in 1989 for facilitating economic growth, cooperation, trade and investment in the Asia-Pacific region, is the only inter- governmental grouping in the world operating on the basis of non-binding commitments, open dialogue and equal respect for the views of all participants.

    APEC has 21 members which account for more than one-third of the world's population, nearly 60 percent of the world's gross domestic product (GDP), and about 47 percent of the world trade. It has worked to reduce tariffs and other trade barriers across the Asia-Pacific region, creating efficient domestic economies and dramatically increasing exports. Enditem