This past week, leaders from 21 Asia Pacific countries met to discuss “A New Commitment to Asia-Pacific Development”. The Commitment, the theme of this year’s 16th annual Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders’ summit, focused on closing the gap between developed and developing economies as well as strengthening global trade and investment. Regional economic challenges, addressing the social dimension of globalization, enhancing human security in the region, climate change, energy and clean development were all on the agenda.
This two-day summit, hosted in Lima, Peru, did of course discuss the current economic crisis and members which include Canada, China, Hong Kong, Australia and the US, vowed to “act quickly and decisively” and “take all necessary economic and financial measures”, this from the Leader’s Statement released on Sunday. In a separate statement, the APEC Leaders said they are sure the crisis could be over within 18 months.
As a founding APEC member, Canada’s priorities for this summit were the advancement of its trade policy interests (World Trade Organization negotiations, supporting regional trade and investment promotion and policy objectives, and making the Asia-Pacific region more accessible to Canadian businesses), economic policy (climate change, energy security and economic sustainability) and security (counter-terrorism and health security).
Be sure check out the US fact sheet for a recap of the events in Lima. And don’t forget to visit their video gallery highlighting the special events.
APEC is all about the benefits and protections for the corporations, socialism for the rich and free market for the poor. Who cares about the environment or human rights, when the governments lack of the tools to protect its citizens and resources? Very dangerous.