APEC Secretariat wants deeper engagement in Chile meeting
That’s the reality but at least you can continue to engage and have those important conversations you may find some parts of the solution. Tan Sri Dr Rebecca Fatima Sta Maria, APEC Secretariat executive director
KUALA LUMPUR: Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Secretariat executive director Tan Sri Dr Rebecca Fatima Sta Maria has called for its members to be more deeply engaged in the upcoming First APEC Senior Officials’ Meeting in Chile next week.
She said the members may find difficulty achieving immediate solutions amid a very tense environment and global economic uncertainty.
“That’s the reality but at least you can continue to engage and have those important conversations you may find some parts of the solution,” she said in an interview via the APEC Secretariat’s twitter account.
Chile previously hosted an APEC meeting back in 2004.
Sta Maria pointed out that Chile has vast experience in the open economy and also has more free trade agreements with other APEC economies.
“That level of experience would really help us when we have to deal with this very challenging issue of globalisation. I am confident in Chile, we will see bright sparks and more issues (to be dealt with) in this environment,” she said.
She said this year’s meeting will focus on regional digital connectivity, women’s role in economic growth and inclusive economic development, which she said has to do with ensuring no one is left behind.
“Whether it is women, small and medium enterprises, indigenous folks or others, how do you bring them all in and make sure that they benefit from the work that we are doing in APEC, will also be in this year’s discussions,” she added.
The APEC Secretariat operates as the core support mechanism for the 21-nation Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation process.
The secretariat performs a central project management role, assisting APEC member economies and APEC fora, and oversees more than 250 APEC-funded projects, according to its website.
APEC’s annual budget is also administered by the secretariat. — Bernama