APEC Human Resource Development Ministers concluded their meeting on Saturday by endorsing a Joint Ministerial Statement focusing on APEC’s priority to promote people to people connectivity and committing to maximizing opportunities afforded by globalization to improve workforce capabilities, promote decent jobs, strengthen social protection and address inequality.

Meeting in Ha Noi under the theme, “Promoting Quality Employment and Strengthening People-to-People Connectivity through Human Resources Development,” the Joint Ministerial Statement includes the following sections:

Supporting Inclusive and Sustainable Growth to Address the Social Dimensions of Globalization, including Equality and Needs of Vulnerable Groups

Enhancing Human Resource Quality to Meet Supply Chain Demands

Facilitating Mobility of Labor and Skills Development

Enhancing the Participation of Women in the Economy

APEC Ministers also adopted the Action Plan (2015-2018), which sets out priority areas and actions as well as a follow-up mechanism to effectively implement the Joint Ministerial Statement.

A joint news conference chaired by Minister of Viet Nam Planning and Investment, Bui Quang Vinh, will follow the conclusion of the meeting.

Viet Nam will be the host economy for APEC in 2017.