This will be the first time economic leaders from APEC’s 21 member economies will meet virtually, as noted in a written statement issued by the APEC Secretariat and received here on Monday.
After successfully hosting the first set of technical meetings in Putrajaya, Malaysia, from 3 to 22 February this year, Malaysia adjusted its hosting year to a digital format after the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the COVID-19 outbreak a pandemic.
"We applaud Malaysia’s commitment and leadership this year despite the uncertainties and challenges brought by the pandemic," said APEC Secretariat executive director, Rebecca Sta Maria.
“APEC officials are working hard, continuing engagement, and collaborating digitally across eight different time zones. We are looking forward to the first-ever virtual Leaders’ Meeting and the important and relevant deliverables that will be announced this November,” she stated.
At the meeting, APEC economic leaders are expected to produce a declaration reflecting Malaysia’s theme of ‘Optimising Human Potential towards a Resilient Future of Shared Prosperity. Pivot, Prioritise, Progress’.
Leaders are also expected to set a new vision, which will guide the forum’s work in the next decades.
The new vision will build on APEC’s goal of free and open trade and investment, known as the Bogor Goals, whose deadline is this year.
Leading up to the meeting, foreign ministers and trade ministers of APEC member economies will come together for the annual APEC Ministerial Meeting, which will be held on 16 November this year and chaired by Mohamed Azmin Ali, Malaysia’s senior minister and the Minister of International Trade and Industry.
The following are the events and dates for the APEC Economic Leaders’ Week: Concluding Senior Officials’ Meeting on 11 November, 2020, APEC Ministerial Meeting on 16 November, 2020, APEC Business Advisory Council Meeting on 18 November, 2020, APEC CEO Dialogues on 19-20 November, 2020, APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting on 20 November, 2020. (INE)
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Reporter: Yuni Arisandy Sinaga
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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