This year’s APEC forum is hosted by Australia’s close friend and neighbour Papua New Guinea (PNG).
APEC is critical to Australia’s vision for a stable and prosperous Indo‑Pacific region.
I will use this opportunity to advocate Australia’s long-standing interests in open trade and investment and to reinforce Australia’s commitment to the Pacific through our ‘step up’ initiative.
I’m eager to discuss the key role APEC and business play in facilitating economic cooperation between Indo-Pacific nations.
Hosting this event is a great opportunity for our closest neighbour to tell its story to the world. We are proud to support PNG to showcase itself and the Pacific region to APEC member economies.
I’m looking forward to congratulating Papua New Guinea’s Prime Minister, and my friend, Peter O’Neill on a vibrant and successful APEC year, and speaking with other Pacific leaders.
I also welcome the opportunity to engage with other APEC economies during my time in Port Moresby, including the United States.
The Vice President of the United States Mike Pence will also visit Australia to meet with Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack in Cairns on 17 November.
