Joint Statement: APEC is foundation for global recovery

Vladivostok, Russia, 6 September 2012 – APEC Ministers concluded their meeting on Thursday in Vladivostok by issuing a Joint Statement on promoting increased growth and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region amid continued global economic uncertainty. The meeting was co-chaired by Russian Foreign Ministers Sergey Lavrov and Economic Development Minister Andrey Belousov.

Ministers agreed that by acting on the concrete initiatives that the Joint Statement describes, the Asia-Pacific region will continue to serve as a major engine for the world economy and key driver for international trade and investment. It also can help APEC economies move closer to achieving balanced, inclusive, sustainable, innovative and secure growth, and build a seamless regional economy.

The Joint Statement outlines policy initiatives based on Ministers’ assessment of progress in advancing APEC’s 2012 priorities:

• Trade and Investment Liberalization, Regional Economic Integration
• Strengthening Food Security
• Establishing Reliable Supply Chains
• Intensive Cooperation to Foster Innovative Growth

Annexes to the Joint Statement include:

• Annex A – Model Chapter on Transparency for Regional Trade Agreements/Free Trade Agreements for APEC
• Annex B – Towards Reliable Supply Chains
• Annex C – Recommendations of the innovation technology dialogue on nanotechnologies for energy efficiency
• Annex D – Outcomes of APEC International Education Conference “Shaping Education within APEC”
• Annex E – Investing in Human Capital

Ministers recognized the importance of strengthening APEC as an institution with respect to its capacity building work, private sector involvement and operational activities.

They also welcomed preparations for APEC 2013 in Indonesia and the announcements by China, the Philippines and Peru that they will host APEC in 2014, 2015 and 2016, respectively.

The APEC Ministers’ Joint Statement and accompanying annexes can be downloaded.

APEC Ministers’ Joint Statement builds momentum for the 20th APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting which will be hosted by Russian President Vladimir Putin here in Vladivostok on 8-9 September. 

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