Vietnam, World Bank deepen partnership ahead of APEC 2027 leadership

Vietnam and the World Bank Group have agreed to strengthen their collaborative efforts in advance of Vietnam's leadership of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum in 2027, according to officials familiar with the partnership discussions.

The enhanced cooperation framework targets three key areas: alignment on policy priorities relevant to APEC's agenda, targeted support for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, and provision of technical assistance to strengthen Vietnam's institutional capacity. The agreement reflects a broader effort to ensure Vietnam is well-positioned to advance regional economic priorities during its APEC chairmanship.

Vietnam is set to assume the chair of the APEC Finance Ministers' Process on October 21, marking an important step in its broader leadership role. Officials have already outlined financial priorities that will shape Vietnam's APEC agenda during 2027, drawing on successful models and experiences from previous host economies, including China.

The World Bank Group's engagement underscores international support for Vietnam's economic priorities and its readiness to lead discussions on critical development issues affecting the Asia-Pacific region.

Photo: World Bank Group President Ajay Banga in New York, September 2026. Xuthoria via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0).