APEC Joint Statement: Results of the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting
The twenty-first APEC Economic Leaders Meeting, chaired by Indonesia's president Bambang Susilo Yudhoyono, has been concluded and in the words of the president the Summit "went on successfully and was indeed very productive." During the two-day Summit the central theme of APEC 2013: “Resilient Asia-Pacific, Engine of Global Growth” was discussed thoroughly and a number of strategic points were agreed upon. Seven of these points are highlighted in the APEC joint statement, delivered by Yudhoyono on Tuesday (08/10).
Bogor Goals
First, we [APEC Economic Leaders] agreed to redouble efforts to attain the Bogor Goals in 2020. We shared the views that all the APEC economies must continue to gain from the APEC cooperation.
[The Bogor goals constitute the commitment to achieve free and open trade and investment by 2010 for industrialized economies and by 2020 for developing economies. APEC members agreed to pursue this goal by further reducing barriers to trade and investment and by promoting the free flow of goods, services and capital. It is believed that free and open trade and investment are essential to realize the growth potential of the region and enhance economic and social outcomes for all APEC economies]
In line with this commitment, the APEC Economic Leaders agreed to take further steps in empowering, engaging and opening opportunities for all stakeholders, to participate in the APEC process and gain benefits from it.
Intra-APEC Trade and Intra-Region Trade
Second, we agreed to increase intra-APEC trade or intra-region trade, including through trade facilitation, capacity building, and the functioning of a multilateral trade system. This reference to the multilateral trade system is a recognition that although the promotion of such intra-APEC trade cooperation brings concrete benefit to the APEC economies, the success of the multilateral regime remains very critical. In this regard, we have agreed on a Declaration which supports the multilateral trading system. We also agreed to ensure the success of the upcoming Ninth WTO Ministerial Conference in Bali in December 2013.
Acceleration of Infrastructure Investment
Third, we agreed to accelerate APEC's physical, institutional, and people-to-people connectivity. In this regard, we envision a strategic landscape for connectivity in our region through the development and investment in infrastructure.
We shared the views that connectivity could help reduce the production and transportation costs, strengthen regional supply-chain, and improve business climate in the region. And at the same time, infrastructure and connectivity building will create more jobs and ensure job security.
Sustainable Growth
Fourth, we reaffirmed our commitment to achieve strong, balanced, sustainable and inclusive global growth. In the process, we agreed to facilitate the enhanced participation of Small, Medium and Micro-sized Enterprises (SMMEs), youth, and women entrepreneurs. These SMMEs are the backbone of our economy.
Food, Energy and Water Security
Fifth, in view of the scarcity of our finite resources, we agreed to cooperate in enhancing regional food, energy, and water security. This effort is also aimed at responding to the challenge of population growth and the adverse impact of climate change. At this Bali Summit, we began to look at this matter in a holistic manner.
Synergy with other Multilateral Processes
Sixth, we agreed to ensure APEC’s synergy and complementarity with other multilateral as well as regional processes, such as the East Asia Summit and G20. This is essential as our world is marked by multiple architectures of economic partnerships.
Collaboration with Business Sector
And seventh, we agreed that close collaboration with the business sector through APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC) is vital to achieve the objective of free and open trade and investment. Close collaboration will result in a win-win situation, especially at the time when the global economy has yet to fully recover.
Now that we have all these agreements and commitments, we must show to the world that APEC will continue to play a significant role in today's global economy. I believe that all APEC economies will share responsibility to live up to these commitments.
Finally, I would like to express my sincere thanks and appreciation to all the Leaders and their delegations for the continued support during Indonesia’s APEC chairmanship.
Dr. Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono
President of the Republic of Indonesia
8 October 2013
Bahas
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