APEC kicks off 2023 in Palm Spring

APEC is pushing forward with its 2023 agenda to create a resilient and sustainable future as officials from the 21 member economies come to palm springsCalifornia, through February 28.

The United States is hosting APEC this year with the goal of enabling a more interconnected, innovative, and inclusive future for all.

More than 100 meetings and workshops are scheduled to deepen engagement among member economies and advance this year’s agenda to ensure sustainable and inclusive growth in the region.

“APEC 2023 presents a unique opportunity to create a strong platform for governments in the Asia-Pacific region to engage key stakeholders from the 21 APEC economies,” said Matt Murray, Senior US Official for APEC. .

“Public-private collaboration is critical to deepening and expanding our economic ties with the world’s fastest-growing region, including in the areas of trade and investment, digitalization and innovation, sustainability, and inclusive growth.”

The current series of meetings begins with discussions on mobility. Under the umbrella of the APEC Business Mobility Group, members will continue their work on safe passage, ensuring a smooth flow of movement across borders for business people.

Partners for a prosperous and secure Indo-Pacific

Members are also reviewing technical cooperation in relation to the APEC Business Travel Card (ABTC) scheme.

The system went digital in 2021 and is currently undergoing regular updates to ensure interoperability and ease of access, both for virtual card holders and participating member economies.

This approach to adopting new and emerging technologies as well as improving digital connectivity aligns directly with the Aotearoa Action Plan.

The Network of Anti-Corruption Authorities and Law Enforcement Agencies also meet in Palm Springs to share their latest experiences, case studies, investigative techniques, tools and effective practices to help build more efficient cross-border cooperation and to enhance capacity. of economies in their fight against corruption, bribery, money laundering and illicit trade by identifying and returning the proceeds of these crimes.

Following the progress of the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies, the APEC Working Group on Oceans and Fisheries is identifying challenges related to fisheries subsidies that member economies face.

The group also discusses the application of measures to support small-scale fisheries and aquaculture, given the importance of this sector for the social and economic development of the APEC economies.

“We have started APEC 2023 with great momentum, and it is important to maintain this progress as we address a number of issues this year that are at the heart of people’s concerns,” said Rebecca Sta Maria, Executive Director of the Secretariat. of APEC.

“We need to learn the lessons of the pandemic; we need more predictability, we need to be more effective in facilitating the movement of goods and services, we need to improve global and regional cooperation, and we need more innovation, not just in the sense of develop new products and services, but flexibility and adaptability that get things moving”.

The First APEC Senior Officials Meeting and related meetings will culminate on February 27, when senior officials will continue to discuss how to achieve a more interconnected, innovative and inclusive future.