On 13 December 2022, the Royal Thai Embassy, the APEC Secretariat, in co-operation with the Embassy of the United States of America, co-hosted a briefing on the outcomes of the 2022 APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting hosted by Thailand this year. About 100 representatives from APEC member economies as well as APEC stakeholders, businesses, academic and media professionals attended the briefing.

 

In their opening remarks, H.E. Mr. Chutintorn Gongsakdi, Ambassador of Thailand to Singapore, and Tan Sri Dr. Rebecca Sta Maria, Executive Director of the APEC Secretariat highlighted the successful outcomes of the 2022 APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting particularly the Bangkok Goals on BCG Economy and its implications for the future of the APEC region. Under the theme—“Open. Connect. Balance.”—, Ambassador Gongsakdi explained how APEC Thailand 2022 facilitated the advancement of regional economic integration including through a refreshed conversation on the Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific (FTAAP), reconnecting the region and resuming safe and seamless travel, as well as charting the course for inclusive, balanced and sustainable growth. Mr. Casey Mace, the Chargé d’Affaires, a.i., the Embassy of the United States of America to Singapore, briefed on areas that the U.S. as the APEC 2023 host economy will prioritize including digital economy, APEC structural reform, liberalized trade, sustainable growth, resilient supply chains and food security.

 

In the seminar on “APEC at a junction: How do we advance sustainable and inclusive growth in the region?”, the Executive Director of the APEC Secretariat invited Mr. Cherdchai Chaivaivid, APEC SOM Thailand, Mr. Matt Murray, APEC SOM US, Mr. Carlos Kuriyama, Incoming Director of APEC Policy Support Unit, to discuss and exchange their views on how APEC should collaborate to build a more resilient and inclusive future for the region. The seminar highlighted the role of APEC as an incubator of ideas and the role it plays in times of great challenges.

 

Upon the event, the Ambassador of Thailand, the U.S. Chargé d’Affaires, a.i., and the APEC Executive Director, co-hosted a reception in honour of all the guests.