State President Nguyen Minh Triet made this statement at his reception on Sept. 20 to head delegates attending the Sept. 19-21 meeting in Ha Noi.

President Triet affirmed that the Party, the State and the people of Viet Nam fully acknowledged the role of women in development and international integration.

The head delegates, including those from Australia, Chile, the Republic of Korea, New Zealand, the Philippines, Russia, and the US, all said they admired Viet Nam's struggle for national independence in the past and its current progress in development.

They promised to work to promote development and cooperation among women leaders.

They urged President Triet to report to APEC leaders incentives, recommendations and a declaration made at the WLN meeting.

The President promised that he would not only report all those matters to APEC leaders but would also highlight the important role played by women in countries around the world. Many of them, he said, held key positions in society, including state and government leaders, talented scientists and successful businesspeople.

He affirmed Viet Nam's commitment to successfully hosting the upcoming APEC Economic Leaders Conference.

APEC currently groups Australia; Brunei Darussalam; Canada; Chile; People's Republic of China; Hong Kong, China; Indonesia; Japan; the Republic of Korea; Malaysia; Mexico; New Zealand; Papua New Guinea; Peru; the Philippines; Russia; Singapore; Chinese Taipei; Thailand; the United States; and Viet Nam.(TTXVN)