APEC is a powerful forum for building confidence in the region's future.

On November 14, US time (ie the morning of November 15, Vietnam time), the 2023 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Ministerial Meeting opened with a focus on building a sustainable and resilient future.

View of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Ministerial Meeting. Photo: VNA

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken co-chaired the plenary session with US Trade Representative Katherine Tai.

Secretary of State Blinken said that connectivity, innovation, inclusiveness and unleashing human potential are priorities in the coming days at the conference.

Despite the progress made toward a more prosperous future over the past three decades, many economic challenges remain, according to Mr. Blinken. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change, and the conflict in Ukraine are affecting food and energy security.

“APEC is a powerful forum” to build confidence in the future of an “open, dynamic, resilient and peaceful” region, he stressed.

For her part, Ms. Katherine Tai warned of the threat of precarious supply chains, rising inequality and economic insecurity, as well as the worsening climate crisis and rising geopolitical tensions.

According to plan, after the Ministerial Conference will be the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting from November 15-17.

The APEC Summit Week will take place from November 11-17 in San Francisco, California, USA, with the participation of senior US officials and ministers along with thousands of delegates and business leaders from the Asia-Pacific region.

At the APEC Summit, US President Joe Biden will welcome leaders of APEC member economies, highlighting the US economic relationship with the Asia-Pacific region, the recent increase in investment and job creation from APEC members to the US, as well as the role of the US economy in promoting growth and innovation in the region.

Delegates from the 21 member economies will participate in high-level meetings and side events with stakeholders on a range of topics, including supply chain resilience; science, research and innovation; critical and emerging technologies; clean energy; high-standard infrastructure; women’s economic empowerment and inclusiveness.

These meetings will lay the foundation for promoting cooperation in APEC next year and will play an important role in reinforcing this year's APEC theme of "Creating a Resilient and Sustainable Future for All" for many years to come.

Laodong.vn