- Issued by the APEC Secretariat
The APEC Secretariat today launches the compilation of initiatives that the forum has undertaken since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic to advance the region's economic recovery and build back better.
"APEC is responding with numerous policy measures and tools that address different pain points caused by the health and economic crisis," says Dr Rebecca Sta Maria, Executive Director of the APEC Secretariat. "These measures show the importance of intensifying cooperation through a multilateral forum like APEC, because no economy can recover alone given how interconnected the region is."
Download the infographic: 20 APEC COVID-19 Economic Response & Recovery Initiatives
The initiatives, ranging from high-level commitments such as ministers' declarations and statements to expert analyses and recommendations as well as innovative tools and practical projects, demonstrated member economies' commitment and continued trust in ensuring that trade remains a critical tool to the region's prosperity.
"We have worked tirelessly in the past year and we must continue to progress our work especially in the area of vaccines and essential goods and services, structural reform and the resumption of safe and seamless cross-border travel," Dr Sta Maria added.
Hairil Yahri Yaacob, Chair of APEC Senior Officials
APEC senior officials are convening today, chaired by Vangelis Vitalis of New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, to push forward key work areas on trade and investment, inclusive and sustainable growth, as well as innovation and digitalization.
Following the meeting of senior officials, trade ministers from 21 APEC member economies will meet virtually on 5 June chaired by New Zealand's Trade and Export Growth Minister Damien O'Connor. The meeting will focus on trade's vital role in enabling access to vaccines and essential goods and keeping the global trading system flowing smoothly.
For the details on these 20 initiatives and more, visit www.apec.org/COVID-19
