1. APEC and the requirement for a national coordination mechanism
APEC is a regional economic cooperation forum comprising 21 member economies, with a series of activities spanning an entire year, including hundreds of conferences, meetings, ministerial meetings, senior official meetings, and especially the APEC Economic Leaders' Week with the participation of world leaders.
The scale, multilateral nature, and international attention make APEC one of the events requiring the highest organizational standards. It's not just a matter of protocol or logistics; APEC is also linked to policy content, economic direction, foreign policy messages, and the host country's image. Therefore, establishing a National Committee to provide unified and consistent direction is a necessary requirement, in line with international practice.
2. Phu Quoc is selected for the hosting venue for APEC 2027
In 2027, Vietnam will officially host APEC, with Phu Quoc identified as the main venue for the event's key activities. The selection of the 'Pearl Island' as the hosting location marks a significant transition, transforming Phu Quoc from a resort tourism destination into a venue for large-scale international events and conferences.
With its advantages in natural landscapes, mild climate, and a gradually improving high-end tourism ecosystem, Phu Quoc is expected to meet the requirements for experiences, accommodation, and event organization simultaneously. Concurrently, the orientation to develop Phu Quoc into a MICE center is also being accelerated to effectively serve activities within the framework of APEC as well as future international events.
Along with Vietnam's announcement of hosting APEC 2027, Phu Quoc is synchronously implementing many key infrastructure projects to serve event organization. The main items include the expansion project of Phu Quoc International Airport, a Convention and Exhibition Center, a Multipurpose Performance Hall, APEC Park, provincial road DT.975 connecting the airport to the event venue, and the LRT light rail line. The synchronous investment in these works not only meets the requirements for organizing APEC 2027 but also creates a long-term infrastructure foundation, contributing to shaping Phu Quoc into a regional tourism, event, and conference hub.
Looking towards 2027, Phu Quoc is seen by many experts as a model combining Vietnam's characteristic nature with modern, internationally standardized infrastructure. Hosting APEC 2027 is not only an opportunity to elevate the status of the 'Pearl Island' but also contributes to affirming Vietnam's capacity to organize major multilateral events on the regional and global map.
2. What is the National Committee for APEC 2027?
The National Committee for APEC 2027 is an inter-sectoral, inter-level coordinating body, established to assist the Government in directing, organizing, and comprehensively implementing the activities of APEC Year 2027 in Vietnam.
The National Committee is not a standing administrative agency but a special institution operating under a coordination mechanism among many ministries, sectors, and localities. The Committee's composition typically includes government leaders, representatives from key ministries such as Foreign Affairs, Industry and Trade, Public Security, National Defense, Culture – Sports and Tourism, Information and Communications, along with localities directly involved in organizing APEC events.
Prime Minister announces the establishment of the APEC 2027 National Committee. (Source: Collected)
3. Key Roles of the APEC 2027 National Committee
3.1. Overall Strategic Direction and Coordination
The most important role of the APEC 2027 National Committee is to provide overall strategic direction for the entire APEC Year. This is reflected in setting the goals, themes, and overarching messages of APEC 2027 in line with national interests and Vietnam's development priorities in the new phase.
The Committee serves as a unified focal point, ensuring APEC activities are not implemented in a fragmented or overlapping manner among ministries, sectors, or localities. Through a centralized directive mechanism, the Committee helps connect foreign affairs, economic, cultural, and communication programs into a unified whole, contributing to maximizing the value that APEC brings to Vietnam.
3.2. Developing Content and Agenda
One of the core functions of the APEC 2027 National Committee is to direct the development of content, agenda, and initiatives for Vietnam during the APEC Year. This includes identifying priority themes and cooperation areas that Vietnam wishes to promote within the APEC framework, such as sustainable growth, digital transformation, social inclusion, human resource development, or supply chain connectivity.
Through content leadership, the National Committee helps Vietnam not only be the host in terms of organization but also an active contributor of intellect, proposing initiatives, and shaping regional discussions. This is a key factor to enhance Vietnam's position and voice in APEC.
3.3. Coordinating Organizational Work and Logistics
APEC 2027 is expected to include hundreds of large and small events taking place in many different localities. Organizational work, logistics, reception, transportation, accommodation, technical, and facility aspects therefore play a decisive role in the overall success.
The APEC 2027 National Committee holds the function of overall coordination, ensuring organizational standards are applied uniformly nationwide. Through specialized subcommittees, the Committee oversees the preparation of facilities, conference centers, transportation systems, information technology, as well as the service capacity of the host localities.
3.4. Ensuring Security, Safety, and High-Level Foreign Affairs
Security and safety are mandatory requirements for all APEC events, especially high-level conferences with the participation of heads of economies. The APEC 2027 National Committee plays a role in directing and closely coordinating among functional forces to develop comprehensive security assurance plans, from personnel security and cybersecurity to health safety and emergency response.
In parallel with that, the Committee also serves as the focal point for high-level foreign affairs work, coordinating bilateral and multilateral contact activities on the sidelines of APEC, ensuring diplomatic protocol, reception, and international practices are implemented correctly.
3.5. Communication and National Image Promotion
APEC always attracts great interest from international media, with thousands of reporters from major news agencies worldwide. Recognizing this, the APEC 2027 National Committee plays a role in directing the overall communication strategy for the APEC Year.
This function is not limited to providing event information but also includes building a national narrative, promoting Vietnam's image as a safe, dynamic, innovative, and deeply integrated destination. Through APEC 2027, Vietnam has the opportunity to introduce its development achievements, investment potential, cultural identity, and its people to the international community.
3.6. Connecting Central and Local Levels
A distinctive feature of APEC 2027 is that many localities will co-host activities. In that context, the National Committee plays the role of a bridge between the central and local levels, ensuring smooth and unified coordination in terms of direction, standards, and progress.
The Committee helps localities clearly understand APEC's requirements and criteria, while also supporting the resolution of difficulties during the preparation process. This is an important factor to ensure there are no "bottlenecks" in the entire chain of APEC events nationwide.
4. Legacy of APEC 2027 and Its Long-Term Shaping Role
Not only aiming for immediate success, the APEC 2027 National Committee also plays a role in shaping APEC's legacy for Vietnam. This legacy is not just infrastructure projects but also organizational experience, inter-sectoral coordination capacity, high-quality human resources, and an enhanced international standing.
Through hosting APEC 2027, Vietnam has the opportunity to consolidate its image as a reliable and responsible partner in the Asia-Pacific region, while also creating new momentum for economic development, foreign affairs, and international integration in the next phase.
With the scale and stature of APEC 2027, the APEC 2027 National Committee is not just an event organizing body but a strategic coordination center for an entire integration process. The Committee's roles and functions span from content direction, organization, security, communication to connecting central-local levels and creating a long-term legacy.
The methodical, scientific, and proactive preparation of the APEC 2017 National Committee will be the decisive factor for the event to become a new milestone of success in Vietnam's integration history, contributing to affirming the nation's position in the region and on the international stage.
