Peru Gears Up To Host 31st APEC Leaders Week As World Leaders Meet To Liberalise Regional Trade

From M. Saraswathi

LIMA (Peru), Nov 10 (Bernama) -- The Peruvian capital city of Lima is all geared up amid tight security to host its third APEC Economic Leaders Week (AELW), a landmark event that underscores its pivotal role as the chair of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum this year to further liberalise trade among regional economies.

The western South American country, bordered by Ecuador and Colombia in the north and in the east by Brazil, has played host for AELW previously in 2016 and 2008.

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Centred around the theme “Empower. Include. Grow.”, the 31st AELW starts with the fourth APEC Business Advisory Council Meeting on Nov 10, followed by the conclusion of  the Senior Officials Meeting and Ministerial Meeting.

The CEO Summit is scheduled on Nov 14-15, APEC Economic Leaders’ Dialogue with ABAC and APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting on Nov 16, which will be chaired by Peru President Dina Ercilia Boluarte Zegarra.

Peru is expected to lead APEC leaders in adopting the 2024 Lima Roadmap to Promote the Transition to the Formal and Global Economy, and the Ichma Statement on a New Look to advance the Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific (FTAAP), underscoring the region's dedication to addressing global challenges and advancing the APEC Putrajaya Vision 2040.

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The meeting, which brings together the leaders of 21 member economies from across the Asia-Pacific region, will be a defining moment for Peru as it strengthens its position as a key player in global economic diplomacy.

China President Xi Jinping and United States President Joe Biden, who is in the final months of his presidency before handing over the Oval Office to President-elect Donald Trump, are among the key leaders expected at the AELW here. 

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who is leading the Malaysian delegation, is expected to arrive here on Nov 12. He will be accompanied by Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz and Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan. 

Among ASEAN leaders, this would be the first APEC meeting for Thailand Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, Indonesia President Prabowo Subianto, Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and Vietnam President Luong Chong.

Philippines President Ferdinand Bongbong Marcos Jr reportedly is skipping the meeting in Peru. Instead, he designated acting Trade and Industry Secretary Maria Cristina Roque as his representative to the summit.

Besides ASEAN leaders, it will be the first APEC meeting for New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, Mexico President Claudia Sheinbaum and Japan Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba.

Beefing up security 

According to news reports, some 13,000 officers will be deployed by the National Police of Peru (PNP) to ensure the safety of both citizens and leaders attending AELW.

Lima has a population of 11.36 million.

The security operation, dubbed the "Economic Leaders Week" Operations Plan, outlines both general and specific tasks across key locations, including Air Group No. 8, Jorge Chávez International Airport and 19 hotels in the districts of Miraflores and San Isidro, where APEC delegations will be accommodated for the various high-level meetings. 

This comprehensive plan is designed to guarantee a safe and secure environment for all participants throughout the duration of the event, according to the report.

To ensure seamless movement for leaders and delegates, the government has declared Nov 14-16 as non-working holidays for Lima as well as the provinces of Callao and Huaral. 

Educational institutions and public offices in these regions will go virtual.

APEC is an inter-governmental forum for 21 member economies in the Pacific Rim that promotes free trade throughout the Asia-Pacific region, representing nearly 40 per cent of the world's population, almost half of global trade and over 60 per cent of the global economy.

Malaysia is among the 12 founding members of APEC. The others are Australia, Brunei, Canada, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, the United States, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand.

China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Mexico and Papua New Guinea joined in 1993. Chile acceded in 1994 and in 1998, Peru, Russia and Vietnam joined, taking the full membership to 21.

-- BERNAMA