LANGKAWI: The Informal Senior Officials’ Meeting (ISOM) that ended on Dec 11 received positive feedback from participants in setting a new vision for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) economies as the Bogor Goals enter their final assessment phase in 2020.
APEC 2020 Senior Officials Meeting (SOM) chair Hairil Yahri Yaacob said senior officials have to come out with the guiding principles on what the vision that will chart APEC economies beyond 2020.
“We received a lot of feedback from the engagement with the stakeholders. Without them, it is difficult for APEC to come out with a very solid document on how we can move forward in increasing the regional economic integration among APEC economies.
“I did not receive any adverse comment or concern. They are very happy because Malaysia is putting in all the inclusivity, sustainability, environmental protection, as well as deepening regional economic integration,” he told a press conference after chairing ISOM here.
Also present was APEC Secretariat executive director Tan Sri Dr Rebecca Fatima Sta Maria.
Earlier in his speech before chairing the meeting, Hairil Yahri said Malaysia has identified enablers in the form of priority areas: changing the narrative of trade and investment, inclusive economic participation through digital economy and technology, and driving innovative sustainability.
He said by undertaking substantive deliverables under each area, it is Malaysia’s hope that APEC will be able to achieve its fundamental objective of achieving sustainable economic growth and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region.
The three-day ISOM beganwith a Symposium on Priorities for APEC 2020, followed by a series of meetings attended by 312 delegates from APEC economies, federal ministries and agencies.
APEC economies will be meeting again at the First Senior Officials’ Meeting (SOM 1) in Putrajaya on Feb 22 next year. – Bernama
