Having convened APEC Leaders for an additional COVID-19 summit in July, this meeting will focus on charting a path to recovery out of this once-in-a-century crisisJakarta (ANTARA) - New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern will chair a virtual meeting of APEC Leaders on November 13 — the pinnacle of New Zealand’s 2021 APEC host year.
"Having convened APEC Leaders for an additional COVID-19 summit in July, this meeting will focus on charting a path to recovery out of this once-in-a-century crisis," Prime Minister Ardern said, as noted in a release issued by the APEC Secretariat and received here on Tuesday.
The prime minister stated that APEC’s focus remains on regional response and recovery from COVID-19.
"Together we are continuing to keep supply chains functioning and are supporting trade in critical medical supplies, including testing kits, PPE (personal protection equipment) and now vaccines," she remarked.
"Through APEC Leaders, we will build on the progress so far by energizing the region’s economic recovery, taking action to decarbonize our economies, and promoting growth that leaves no one behind," she remarked.
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The APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting will cap an intense five days known as the APEC Economic Leaders’ Week, during which the region’s senior officials, business and youth leaders, as well as ministers convene to join, work, and grow together as New Zealand hosted its final set of activities.
The week will start with a two-day APEC Ministerial Meeting on November 9-10 chaired by New Zealand Minister of Foreign Affairs Nanaia Mahuta and Minister of Trade and Export Growth Damien O’Connor.
The 2021 APEC CEO Summit will be held on November 11–12 that will bring together APEC leaders, world's leading executives, entrepreneurs, and thought leaders to exchange perspectives on the big issues facing the Asia-Pacific.
Meanwhile, youngsters will meet at the annual youth event, the 2021 APEC Voices of the Future Conference on November 9-10 during which Prime Minister Ardern will deliver a keynote speech.
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APEC leaders will also hold their annual dialogue with the APEC Business Advisory Council on November 12, to be co-chaired by Prime Minister Ardern and Rachel Taulelei, the chair of the 2021 APEC Business Advisory Council.
Leading a regional health, trade, and economic response to the pandemic has been one of New Zealand’s priorities as the APEC 2021 chair.
Earlier this year, APEC trade ministers committed to expediting cross-border flow of vaccines and related goods to fight the COVID-19 pandemic.
At their extraordinary meeting in July, APEC leaders reaffirmed their commitment to redoubling efforts to expand vaccine manufacturing and supply, support global vaccine-sharing efforts, and encourage the voluntary transfer of vaccine production technologies on mutually agreed terms.
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"Given APEC’s diverse membership, the many work streams under our purview, the multiple sectors we bring to the table, and our inclination toward practical discussion and exchanging ideas, we are in a good position to take the lead in turning what we have gone through into opportunities to build back more resilient and sustainable," Executive Director of the APEC Secretariat Rebecca Sta Maria affirmed.
"New Zealand has paved, what in my mind, is the best path possible to a sustainable, digitally enabled and inclusive recovery. This was a year for us to truly join, work, and grow together," Sta Maria stated.
APEC is responsible for over 60 percent of the global economic output; accounts for 47 percent of the world trade, and is home to 38 percent of the world’s population.
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Reporter: Yuni Arisandy Sinaga
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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