Indonesia`s FM holds session to socialize 2008 APEC results

Thursday, 29 January 2009

The Indonesian Foreign Affairs Ministry here on Wednesday held a session to socialize the result of 2008 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, or APEC, and priorities in 2009 APEC.

"APEC is one of economic cooperation organizations which gives much benefit to Indonesia. Capacity building in APEC is an important aspect for the developing economies, especially to narrow the difference of economic growth among APEC members," Director General for Asia-Pacific and African Affairs of the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Primo Alui Joelianto, said.

The session was expected to give better understanding on how to maximize the benefit of APEC to the national interests and as the preparation for the APEC meeting in Singapore.

The 2009 APEC meeting will be started with the 1st Senior Officials Meeting in the middle of February, 2009, and ended with the APEC Economic Leaders` Meeting (AELM) in December, 2009.

"This is also to give a general description of 2008 AELM in Lima, Peru," Joelianto added.

There are two important documents resulted in the 2008 APEC namely the Lima APEC Leaders Statement on the Global Economy and the 16th AELM Declaration, he said.

"The first one is the reaction from the APEC leaders of global financial crisis. In the declaration, they stated that they believed they can overcome the crisis within eighteen months through a coordinated cooperation. It is also stated that they support the G20 meeting results," said Joelianto.

Meanwhile, the second document stated the results of APEC 2008 and the guidelines for APEC 2009.

"Main issues stated in the 16th AELM Declaration include ensuring food and energy security, regional economy integration, implementing structural reform, Corporate Social Responsibility, combating corruption, enhancing human dignity and strengthening APEC," he added.

The socialization was expected to be the guideline of policy making and also Indonesia`s position in the 2009 APEC meeting. The 2009 APEC meeting will be held in Singapore and is themed "Sustaining Growth and Connecting the Region".

Some 100 participants including Singaporean Ambassador to Indonesia Ashok Mipuri were present at the event.(ANTARA)

 


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