APEC NEWS ALERT: Leaders prepare for their annual meeting

Leaders Coordinate Responses to Financial Crisis, Human Security and Social Equity

Issued by the APEC Secretariat

Singapore, 31 October, 2008 – Leaders and representatives of APEC’s 21 Member Economies are preparing for their annual meeting in Lima, Peru in the latter half of next month. 

The 16^th annual APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting (22 – 23 November) is the culmination of the actions, discussions and endorsements that have taken place throughout 2008, hosted by Peru and under the theme, “A New Commitment to Asia-Pacific Development.” 

Heads of member governments will receive recommendations from Ministers, including those responsible for Finance, Trade and Structural Reform.  These recommendations are likely to address:

 

• Coordinated long- and short-term responses to the current financial crisis;

 

• Collaborative efforts to progress a regional-wide free trade agreement;

 

• Human security initiatives, including emergency preparedness and response;

 

• Structural reform;

 

• Stimulation of growth among small to medium and micro-enterprises; and

 

• Improving food security in the Asia-Pacific region.

 

These are intended to inform collective policy initiatives among leaders and, ultimately, to strengthen economic resilience and expand trade opportunities throughout the region. 

Prior to the Leaders’ Meeting, related events to be held in Lima will include:

 

• APEC Concluding Senior Officials’ Meeting, 16 – 17 November
• APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC), 18 – 20 November
• APEC Ministers’ Meeting, 19 – 20 November
• APEC CEO Summit, 20 – 22 November

The CEO Summit will feature presentations by the world’s most renowned leaders.

 

For more information, or to schedule an interview with APEC Secretariat Executive Director, Ambassador Juan C. Capuñay, following the APEC Leaders’ Meeting, contact:

Carolyn Williams at cdw@apec.org or at (51) 8927 4393 in Peru

Anita Douglas at ad@apec.org or at (65) 9172 6427 in Singapore