"APEC needs to promote the spirit of inclusiveness, sustainability, and justice while endorsing sustainable development to create a mutually beneficial trade ecosystem," he remarked, as cited from a press release issued by his office here on Saturday.
Hasan opined that the multilateral trade system, with the World Trade Organization (WTO) as its center, would remain relevant to the world's journey toward sustainable development amid global economic uncertainties and souring political relations.
Hasan urged APEC trade ministers to support the relevance of the WTO by expressing commitment to the so-called Abu Dhabi Packages agreed during the 13th WTO Ministerial Meeting held in the United Arab Emirates last March.
"As APEC trade ministers, we need to make the most of the momentum created through the WTO meeting by stating political commitment to intensifying discussion on the package and other unsolved issues," he pointed out.
The Indonesian minister underlined the need for the APEC to ensure that the two-level dispute resolution system can run optimally this year in a bid to rebuild the international community's trust in the WTO.
Touching upon e-commerce, Hasan said Indonesia regards flexible policies are key to meeting the needs of developing and least developing economies in digital trade discussions.
The minister also drew attention to the connection between trade and the environment, pushing APEC to echo the need to ensure that pro-environment provisions do not instead disrupt global trade.
He then placed emphasis on the importance of the WTO taking into account provisions on special treatments, technical assistance, and capacity-building measures dedicated to developing and least developing economies in all of its agendas and talks.
"I hope that this meeting will produce results beneficial to the resolution of unsolved issues at the WTO," he concluded.
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Translator: Maria C, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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