Virtual Apec an opportunity lost

But PM confident NZ-‘hosted’ event can still work online

The Government had already spent more than $26 million on preparations for hosting Apec before the decision was made to make the annual meeting of world leaders a virtual summit.

And a former Foreign Affairs Minister says New Zealand is also losing out on the significant showcasing advantage it would have had, if the event were to have gone ahead in Auckland as planned.

APEC 2020 formally ended on Saturday morning, following a virtual meeting between the leaders of the participating countries.

The summit was “hosted” in Malaysia this year but because of Covid-19 the event was done online.

The Apec mantle now falls to New Zealand, which is hosting the summit next year.

“While this isn’t an in-person meeting, it will be one of the most important international events New Zealand will host in decades,” Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said.

But, due to the logistics of organising such a significant event – which includes hosting world leaders from 21 different countries including the United States, Australia, Japan and China – it takes years to prepare for the event.

A spokesperson from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Mfat) told the Herald that before the decision was made to hold a virtual summit, some $26.3m had been spent on preparations.

The overall budget for hosting the event is $46.13m.

Murray McCully, Foreign Affairs Minister in the Key administration, said a virtual Apec meant the costs wouldn’t be as high as if the event had gone ahead in person.

“Apec is a very expensive meeting to host – especially the leaders and ministers component.

“But let’s not forget also a raft of official meetings that take place over a number of months.”

He said it also meant that one of the biggest economic opportunities for the host nation, its ability to showcase itself to the world, had also more or less been lost.

“New Zealand is missing out on a huge showcasing opportunity, but it’s also no doubt going to be saving a significant budget,” he told the Herald.

“I suppose it’s sort of a doubleedged sword.”

But Ardern is confident that, despite New Zealand hosting a virtual summit, Apec will still be a success.

“Delivering an innovative and wellrun virtual Apec will demonstrate New Zealand’s digital and creative capabilities, along with our commitment to continued and effective diplomacy,” she said.

“In a Covid-19 world, it is more important now than ever.”